Cessna 140 N76975

Summary

On 8 November 2001, a Cessna 140 registered N76975 was involved in an accident near Nephi, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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

8 November 2001

Classification

Accident

Location

Nephi, Utah, United States

Coordinates

39.6802, -111.8293

Aircraft

Cessna 140

Registration

N76975

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Richfield → Spanish Fork

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN02LA008

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the transmission wires while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low altitude flight performed by the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, they were on the last leg of a positioning flight. Due to low temperatures aloft, and a "minimal cabin heater", the pilot decided to maintain an altitude of approximately 800 to 1000 feet above ground level. He was following an interstate highway, and descended to a lower altitude in an attempt to read a highway road mileage sign. A few moments after leveling off, the airplane struck transmission wires. The pilot made an emergency landing on the highway, and taxied to the shoulder to be clear of automobile traffic. The airplane sustained damage to the right side engine cowling, both wing struts, and substantial damage to the windscreen.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.