A witness on the ground in Boulder, Utah, said the Cessna 140 was flying at a low altitude over an area that had power lines about 100 feet above ground level. The plane hit the lines and crashed, killing the pilot and passenger.
The post-accident examination did not find any mechanical issues with the airplane.
Local residents reported seeing the pilot flying at low altitudes on previous flights. Based on these reports, as well as the accident witness report, investigators determined that it is likely the pilot was flying at a low altitude and failed to maintain clearance from the power lines.
The NTSB attributed the accident to the pilot’s improper decision to maneuver at a low altitude and failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from power lines.
NTSB Identification: WPR13FA095
This January 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
