Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to avoid powerlines while flying at low altitude.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting a local sightseeing flight when the airplane impacted high-tension transmission wires. The airplane came to rest about 600 ft past the wires, and the upper 2-foot section of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were separated and located about 100 ft from the wires.
Postaccident examination revealed no malfunctions or anomalies of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to avoid powerlines while flying at low altitude.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA119 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 31, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Silt, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- (RIL)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N4376Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1971
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.