Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual look-out and failure to maintain clearance from the wires. Lack of experience in the geographical (airport) area was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The noncertificated solo student pilot was landing at an unfamiliar airport. While on final approach, the student pilot failed to see the wires that traversed the final approach course. The airplane's vertical stabilizer struck the wires.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 3, 1993, at about 1645 hours mountain standard time, a Piper J3, N30503, collided with some wires while on final approach to a privately owned dirt airstrip about 7 miles west of Buckeye, Arizona. The noncertificated student pilot was conducting a visual flight rules local solo instructional flight. The airplane, operated by the student pilot, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the student pilot's privately owned airstrip at Rainbow Valley, Arizona, at about 1600 hours. The student pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on April l5, 1993, that the accident flight was the first time he had attempted to land at the privately owned dirt airstrip. While on final approach to the south, he failed to see the unmarked wires that traverse the final approach course from the east to the west. The student pilot reiterated the sequence of events stated during the telephone interview in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He added, however, that the airplane's vertical stabilizer struck the wires and that there was a post-crash fire. -