Piper PA-28-140 N6726J

Summary

On 9 February 2013 at about 20:38 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N6726J, operated by John Gilman, was involved in an accident near Sunnyside, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 February 2013 at 20:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Sunnyside, Washington, United States

Coordinates

46.3269, -119.9703

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N6726J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John Gilman

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sunnyside → Sunnyside

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13CA121

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s inadequate vigilance while maneuvering at low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Neither the pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger provided written statements about the circumstances of the accident. Witnesses reported that the airplane was maneuvering over a freeway when it struck a series of power lines (about 45 feet above ground level) and subsequently impacted terrain. One witness reported that the airplane was maneuvering “extremely low” to the ground and appeared to be doing several low turns and dives. The witness stated that, the airplane was so low, he could see the passenger’s face through the right front window. The wings, empennage, and fuselage were substantially damaged.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.