Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
NTSB analysis
A witness reported the pilot was circling low over his house and waving at him. The pilot circled for about 5 minutes then departed the area. As he watched the airplane head north, it collided with a power line, resulting in a loss of electrical power to nearby residences and a brush fire. The airplane pitched down abruptly and descended into a ravine where it collided with the ground about 500 ft from the location of the power line.
Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21FA165 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 29, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cave Spring, Georgia
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aviat Inc A-1
- N-number
- N800MH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1992
- Damage
- Substantial
- 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.