The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket
Location: Pinon, Arizona
Accident Number: WPR22LA107
Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 08:45 Local
Registration: N207RV
Aircraft: ROSS JONATHAN RV-8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during low-level flight, the airplane struck a power distribution line. Subsequently, the top section of the vertical stabilizer and rudder separated and sustained substantial damage. The pilot landed at a nearby airfield without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level flight.
Findings
Personnel issues Task monitoring/vigilance - Pilot
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Wire - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Private
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 1, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 4, 2021
Flight Time: (Estimated) 4191 hours (Total, all aircraft), 37 hours (Total, this make and model), 2652 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 33 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: ROSS JONATHAN
Registration: N207RV
Model/Series: RV-8
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 80094
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: September 2, 2021 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 867 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A1A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFLG,7018 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 109 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 08:57 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 228°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -6°C / -13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Farmington, NM (FMN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Rosamond, CA (L00)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 08:02 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Prescott Regional Airport PRC
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5045 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7619 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 36.101143,-110.25039(est)
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Accident Number: WPR22LA107
Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 09:30 Local
Registration: N207RV
Aircraft: ROSS JONATHAN RV-8
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: ROSS JONATHAN
Registration: N207RV
Model/Series: RV-8
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFLG,7018 ft msl
Observation Time: 08:57 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 109 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -6°C /-13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Farmington, NM (FMN)
Destination: Rosamond, CA (L00)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 36.377333,-110.01316 (est)
