Widener, AR, USA
N4478B
Cessna 170B
The airplane impacted wires and subsequently the terrain while on approach to a private airstrip. The pilot reported he was at a low altitude and saw wires in front of the airplane. The pilot noted he attempted to maneuver to avoid the wires but "clipped them anyway." The pilot stated he attempted to continue landing and stalled the airplane several feet above the ground. The pilot reported the main landing gear impacted the terrain first and the airplane subsequently rolled over. The wires were not marked for increased visibility.
On June 24, 2003, about 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N4478B, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a wire and subsequently the terrain while on approach to a private airstrip near Widener, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated from West Memphis Municipal Airport, West Memphis, Arkansas, at 1200. The pilot reported he was practicing landing on a private grass strip. The pilot noted he got too low and saw wires in front of the airplane. The pilot stated he "pulled up to try and clear [the] wires, but clipped wires anyway." The pilot reported he attempted to continue landing and stalled the airplane several feet above the ground. The pilot noted the airplane impacted the terrain main landing gear first, and subsequently rolled over. The wires were not marked for increased visibility. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the in-flight collision with the wires.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the unmarked wires.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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