Cessna 177RG N8040G

Summary

On 15 December 2005 at about 00:52 local time, a Cessna 177RG registered N8040G was involved in an accident near Dixon, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 December 2005 at 00:52

Classification

Accident

Location

Dixon, California, United States

Coordinates

38.3367, -121.7061

Aircraft

Cessna 177RG

Registration

N8040G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Andreas → Santa Rosa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

LAX06LA058

1 person died.

the pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and failure to maintain obstacle clearance with a high tension static line. The glare from the setting sun was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with a high tension static line associated with a high voltage transmission tower during a low altitude cruise flight at dusk and descended uncontrolled to the ground. A certified flight instructor who witnessed the accident noted the light blue colored airplane about 200 feet above ground level and traveling at a high groundspeed, prior to it impacting power lines. Prior to the line impact, the airplane did not appear to be increasing or decreasing in altitude and was traveling from east to west. Recorded radar data was used to establish a track on the airplane. The mode C altitude reports showed the airplane at 200 to 300 feet above ground level for an extended period. Due to the low altitude of the flight, the radar coverage was intermittent and ended 13 minutes prior to the accident site. Post accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions to preclude normal operation of the airplane. The airplane was flying east-to-west toward the setting sun at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.