Aircraft Hit Powerlines During A Forced Landing Attempt

The NTSB has released a preliminary report associated with an accident which occurred March 22 involving a Piper PA-28-181 aircraft that resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries during a forced landing attempt in Safety Harbor, FL.

According to the report, at about 0400 eastern daylight time, the aircraft operated by a private individual was substantially damaged when it collided with powerlines, during a forced landing to a highway near Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (KPIE), Clearwater, FL. The private pilot was fatally injured and two passengers were seriously injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned flight to KPIE. The flight departed John C Tune Airport (KJWN), Nashville, Tennessee about 2338 eastern daylight time on March 21, 2014. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to preliminary information from the FAA, the airplane was in radio and radar contact with air traffic control (ATC) as it approached KPIE. The pilot subsequently reported a fuel emergency and the airplane impacted powerlines about 6 miles north of KPIE.

The wreckage came to rest upright, nose-down, oriented on a southeasterly heading, on a highway beneath the powerlines. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the scene. The engine and cockpit area were crushed inward and the cabin roof had separated. The cabin roof, where the top of the cockpit door met the cabin, exhibited an impact mark consistent with a wire strike. The impact mark was a similar size to an approximate 1.25-inch-thick aluminum powerline that had separated during the impact, causing a power outage in the area. The aluminum power line had been located about 160 feet above the highway.

The leading edge of the left wing exhibited impact damage. The left main fuel tank remained intact and approximately 4 ounces of fuel were recovered from it by an FAA inspector. The left aileron and flap remained attached. The right wing was undamaged with the exception of a partial separation of the right flap and the right fuel tank was compromised at its fuel drain. During recovery, the FAA inspector observed some drops of fuel dripping from the right tank. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left main fuel tank.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on October 31, 2013. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 1,549 hours.

A handheld Garmin 496 GPS was recovered from the wreckage and retained for further examination.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov