Summary
On August 12, 2011, a Richmond Jim R CCK-1865 (N56WY) was involved in an incident near Dubois, WY. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during cruise flight.
The pilot reported that during a daytime flight within visual meteorological conditions, he was in cruise flight at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level when he heard a loud bang followed by a shudder in the airplane. The pilot said he gained altitude and noticed damage to a radio antenna and noted the controls felt "mushy," but the airplane remained flyable. The pilot then diverted to the nearest airport and landed uneventfully, where he observed structural damage to the left wing and rudder. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed evidence of wire striations on the left wing and rudder.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR11CA399. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N56WY.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during cruise flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during a daytime flight within visual meteorological conditions, he was in cruise flight at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level when he heard a loud bang followed by a shudder in the airplane. The pilot said he gained altitude and noticed damage to a radio antenna and noted the controls felt "mushy," but the airplane remained flyable. The pilot then diverted to the nearest airport and landed uneventfully, where he observed structural damage to the left wing and rudder. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed evidence of wire striations on the left wing and rudder. Damage to the left wing, which included multiple separated vortex generators and paint scuffing on the top area of the outboard left wing, was found consistent with an in-flight collision with a wire. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA399