Summary
On April 04, 2020, a Rans S-12 Airaile (UNREG) was involved in an accident near Hillrose, CO. The accident resulted in 2 serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The noncertificated pilot's diverted attention while looking at a fire during low-altitude flying, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
The noncertificated pilot and his son departed in the unregistered experimental airplane (previously N4114G), on a local personal flight from his private airstrip. During the return flight, they noticed an area of smoke and fire near the pilot's property and proceeded to the area for examination. The pilot descended the airplane to an altitude of about 20 ft above ground level to see what was burning, which diverted the pilot's attention. The pilot "immediately" pulled up to avoid powerlines, "but was 2 seconds late," and the airplane struck the powerlines. The pilot report that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN20CA139. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft UNREG.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The noncertificated pilot's diverted attention while looking at a fire during low-altitude flying, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The noncertificated pilot and his son departed in the unregistered experimental airplane (previously N4114G), on a local personal flight from his private airstrip. During the return flight, they noticed an area of smoke and fire near the pilot's property and proceeded to the area for examination. The pilot descended the airplane to an altitude of about 20 ft above ground level to see what was burning, which diverted the pilot's attention. The pilot "immediately" pulled up to avoid powerlines, "but was 2 seconds late," and the airplane struck the powerlines. The pilot report that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN20CA139