MILLIKEN, CO, USA
N4053H
PIPER PA-12-150
THE PLT & HIS WIFE WERE ON A LOCAL FLT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING BELOW THE TREE TOPS OVER THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER. ONE WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT'S WHEELS WERE SKIMMING THE WATER. JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP. HOWEVER, IT HIT THE TOP SET OF 3 WIRES, THEN CRASHED. THE PLT'S WIFE SURVIVED THE ACDNT, BUT SHE RECEIVED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE PLT HAD NO USEFUL VISION IN HIS RIGHT EYE, BUT POSSESSED A MEDICAL WAIVER (STATEMENT OF DEMONSTRATED ABILITY) FOR THIS CONDITION.
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT, INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE POWER LINE AND THE ABSENCE OF SHOULDER HARNESSES IN THE AIRCRAFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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