Piper PA-18-150 N4129E

Summary

On 3 November 1989 at about 20:40 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N4129E, operated by Smoak Groves, Inc., was involved in an accident near Immokalee, Florida, 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

3 November 1989 at 20:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Immokalee, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N4129E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Smoak Groves, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Lake Placid

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA90LA024

2 people had minor injuries.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. THE STATIC LINE (OBSTRUCTION) WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TURNED TO A NORTHERLY HEADING & REMAINED AT LOW ALT TO VIEW HIS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPEMENT NEAR THE AIRSTRIP. THIS HEADING TOOK THE ACFT TOWARD HIGH TENSION POWER LINES, JUST NORTH OF THE PRIVATE STRIP. THE PLT SELECTED A FLT PATH OVER THE LOWEST SAG IN THE LINES; HOWEVER, NEITHER HE NOR THE PASSENGER SAW THE STATIC CABLES ABOVE THE MAIN TRANSMISSION LINES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN UPPER (STATIC) CABLE. THE CABLE STOPPED THE ACFT'S FORWARD MOVEMENT & IT DROPPED NEARLY STRAIGHT-DOWN TO THE GROUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.