Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see and avoid a dark-colored utility pole while taxiing for takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the private pilot, he was practicing stop-and-go landings, and after the second landing, he taxied the airplane back to the east end to prepare for a third takeoff. While making a wide right turn, he was looking in the direction of the turn and failed to see an estimated 4 1/2-ft-tall utility pole. The left-wing lift strut contacted the pole and separated from the fuselage at the lower attachment point. The pilot stated that there were no markings or warnings placed nearby, which allowed the dark-colored pole to blend into the background. Following the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge contacted the airport owner who agreed to paint the pole to make it more visible to prevent a reoccurrence.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 26, 2018, about 0900 central daylight time, an Aeronca 65 airplane, N22173, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at a private airport (LA54) about one mile northeast of Gilliam, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to Spirit of Haughton, LLC and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight when the accident occurred. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area flight. According to the pilot, he was practicing stop and go landings when the accident occurred. After the second landing on runway 26, he taxied the airplane back to the east end to prepare for a third flight. While making a wide right turn, he was looking in the direction of the turn and failed to see an estimated 4 ½ ft tall utility pole, located about 60ft north of what would be considered the centerline of the runway area. The left wing lift strut contacted the pole and separated from the fuselage at the lower attach point, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no markings or warnings placed nearby, which allowed the dark colored pole to blend into the background. Following the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge contacted the airport owner who agreed to paint the pole to make it more visible to prevent a reoccurrence.