Accident Aeronca 7AC N2359E, Sunday 21 February 1988

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Sunday 21 February 1988
Time:	14:18 LT
Type:	Aeronca 7AC
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N2359E
MSN:	7AC5956
Total airframe hrs:	2500 hours
Engine model:	Continental A-65
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Gila, NM - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Gila, NM (NONE)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT SAID THAT HE AND HIS FRIEND WERE ON A PLEASURE FLT FOLLOWING A RIVER BED WHEN HE SPOTTED SOME ELECTRICAL POWER LINES AHEAD. HE SAID THAT HE FELT THAT HE HAD ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OVER THE LINES BUT THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE STATIC LINE ABOVE THE WIRES. THE ACFT STRUCK THE UNMARKED LINE CAUSING THE PLT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN AND STRUCK THE GROUND INVERTED. THE PLT SAID IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE STATIC LINES WERE MARKED WITH ORANGE BALL MARKERS. THE PASSENGER ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRES NEED TO BE MARKED.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: