N289EH

On April 22, 2019, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bearhawk LSA, N289EH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Holly Ridge, North Carolina. The private pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, while on final approach to his destination airport, he noticed a line of trees. After clearing the trees, he started his decent to runway 14. While on short final, the airplane became entangled in the powerlines and collided with the ground. The pilot stated that he knew of the powerlines, but thought they may have been raised. He said that he had not checked the airport/facility directory before the flight, which noted the placement and height of the powerlines.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was intact and came to rest on its nose. The nose of the airplane was crushed aft and both wings displayed leading edge crush damage. He did not observe any anomalies with the flight controls.

Review of airport information revealed that the powerlines were located 50 ft from the runway 14 threshold and were 60 ft tall. Runway 14 had a displaced threshold with an approach slope ratio of 1:1 in order to clear the powerlines.