Extra 300/LT N169TM

Summary

On 23 June 2013 at about 18:01 local time, a Extra 300/LT registered N169TM, operated by Edward Claugus, was involved in an accident near Adrian, Oregon, 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

23 June 2013 at 18:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Adrian, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

43.6667, -117.2606

Aircraft

Extra 300/LT

Registration

N169TM

Category

Airplane

Year built

2011

Engines

1

Operator

Edward Claugus

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ontario → Ontario

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA283

1 person died.

The pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level maneuvering in a river canyon with power lines, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane flying at a low level through a river canyon—one witness stated it was following the canyon's contours—and then colliding with a marked power line strung across the river. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground. Scratch marks from the wire were observed on the left wing. First responders reported that the pilot was in the rear seat, which might have hampered his forward visibility and led to his failure to see the power lines. The toxicological report identified the presence of ramipril and atorvastatin in the pilot's urine; however, neither of these medications are impairing. The toxicology testing also detected a very low level of morphine in the pilot's urine, which indicates that he had used a medication containing an opioid within a few days of the accident. However, because it was no longer detectable in the blood, it is not likely that the pilot was impaired by the medication at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.