Amateur-built CHRISTAVIA MK 1 N746LM accident near Grand Detour, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional flight at low altitude.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was flying an experimental airplane at a low altitude along a river when the airplane struck a power line suspended 30 ft above the river, causing the airplane to cartwheel. The power line wrapped around the airplane, and the airplane descended straight down, impacting the ice-covered river.

A postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the fuselage forward of the instrument panel, the engine cowling, and the engine were bent upward about 30°. The forward fuel tank between the cabin and the engine had broken open, and the smell of fuel was apparent. The airplane's propeller showed indications that the engine was producing high power when the airplane struck the power line. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine and other airplane systems showed no preimpact anomalies. Thus, the accident likely occurred because the pilot did not see the power line suspended across the river while he was flying close to the river surface.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA082 for the full record.