Maule M-6-235 N7613X accident near Bennett, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a utility line while maneuvering.

NTSB analysis

The flight was flying along a creek looking for a place to land and go hiking, when the pilot thought he had struck a tree. The pilot continued to fly for about 17 miles before landing at a privately owned airport and placed the airplane in a friend’s hangar. Authorities became aware of the accident about six weeks later after airplane parts were found by property owners along the creek near a utility line. The parts included the left wing tip, left aileron, and portions of a wing spar. Examination of the impact site and wreckage indicated the airplane impacted a single unpowered and unmarked utility line about 35 feet above the creek. The utility line crossed the creek perpendicularly and the creek bed was lined on both sides by trees up to about 60 feet tall.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10FA162 for the full record.