NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On May 29, 2009, about 0855 mountain daylight time, an experimental/exhibition Storch Aviation Australia SS-MK4, N2898J airplane, collided with power lines in a canyon near Boulder, Utah. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated flight instructor and passenger were killed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and both wings. The local flight departed from a private airstrip 10 miles north of the accident site about 0840. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

Prior to the accident flight, the pilot flew with a passenger in the airplane on a sightseeing trip. The passenger stated that they departed about 0745, and flew for about 35 minutes. The trip included a flight about 5 miles northeast of the departure airstrip, to view the passenger's residence from the air. They then flew through canyons in the area. He stated that throughout the flight the airplane descended to altitudes of between 200 and 300 feet above ground level (agl). On the return leg they made two passes over an alfalfa field; during the passes the passenger observed cattle scattering. About this time a witness, who was located in the Lower Boulder area, 8 miles north of the accident site, called the sheriff's department to make a complaint that an airplane was flying low over his residence, and scaring cattle.

They then landed at the pilot's airstrip, and the passenger disembarked. About 15 minutes later the airplane departed to the south with the pilot and another passenger.

Witnesses in the Calf Creek Campground, which was located within a canyon about 1.5 miles north of the accident site, reported observing an airplane flying overhead on a southbound heading, within the canyon at a "very low" altitude just prior to the accident.

The deputy sheriff reported that a power outage occurred in the area about 0855.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Pilot

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the 64-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, single-engine sea, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot held a certified flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land.

The pilot held a third-class medical certificate issued on February 27, 2009. It had the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses.

No personal flight records were located for the pilot. On his most current medical application, he stated a total pilot time of 7,000 hours, with 75 flight hours in the past 6 months.

Pilot Rated Passenger

The 67-year-old pilot rated passenger held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane.

AIRPLANE INFORMATION

The two-seat, high-wing, fixed landing gear airplane, was manufactured by Storch Aviation Australia PTY in 2000, where it received an Australian registration number VH-ZOR. The airplane was then de-registered and imported into the United States where, on October 3, 2003, it was registered as an experimental/exhibition category airplane.

The airplane was powered by an Aero Sport Power O-360-B2E, 180-horsepower, experimental engine, and equipped with a McCauley fixed pitch metal propeller.

The maintenance logbook records were located onboard the airplane. The last recorded maintenance event was the 100-hour inspection, which was completed on May 27, 2008, at a total airframe flight time of 307.8 hours; 15.5 flight hours prior to the accident.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The closest aviation weather observation station was Bryce Canyon Airport (BCE), which was 40 miles west of the accident site, at an elevation of 7,590 feet mean sea level. An aviation routine weather report for BCE was recorded at 0853, and stated: winds calm; visibility 10 miles; skies 8,500 feet broken; temperature 11 degrees C; dew point 4 degrees C; altimeter 30.36 inches of mercury.

According to the United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department, the altitude and azimuth of the sun at 0855 in the town of Boulder, were 30.9 degrees and 85.4 degrees, respectively.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane came to rest against a highway bridge abutment within the canyon floor at the confluence of Calf Creek and the Escalante River. The airplane was oriented in a nose down attitude with the tail resting against the bridge structure. The airplane was situated on the western side of the bridge, south of the river shore at an elevation of about 5,180 feet. The canyon peaks surrounding the site ranged between 5,600 and 5,800 feet. The canyon walls at the accident site were near-vertical, and separated about 500 feet horizontally.

The top of the canyon, east of the confluence, was straddled from the northeast to the southwest by five power transmission cables. Two cables were observed severed about midspan. The airplane was located east of the power transmission lines.

First responders reported that the odor of fuel was present at the site.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Utah State Department of Health Medical Examiners Office conducted an autopsy examination on the pilot, and an external examination on the passenger. The cause of death for both occupants was reported as the effect of blunt force injuries.

Toxicological tests on specimens from the pilot were performed by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute. Analysis revealed no findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, or ethanol. The results were negative for all screened drug substances. Refer to the toxicology report included in the public docket for specific test parameters and results.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

Examination of the recovered airframe, engine, and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. A full report of the examination is contained within the public docket.

The left wing leading edge slats exhibited two diagonal gouges, 5 feet and 10 feet inboard of the wingtip. The gouged skin surfaces displayed serrations similar in profile to power transmission wire windings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The FAA Las Vegas Sectional Aeronautical Chart, effective for the date of the accident, revealed the presence of power transmission lines in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident, reported that no sectional charts were located onboard the airplane.

The passenger who flew in the airplane with the pilot earlier in the day, provided a map of the original flight path. The route was in the vicinity of Boulder, including canyons to the southeast, and did not include flight within the area of the accident. The passenger provided photographs taken during that flight. The photographs revealed that during that flight the airplane flew below the canyon peaks on multiple occasions, and within about 30 feet of the canyon walls.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.