Jump to content

Mooney 201 lands on high power lines in MD


Recommended Posts

Plane was listed for sale this past May with a GNS430W, so capable of flying the LPV. It then had a basic vacuum AI and DG with a Garmin 496 for weather. And basic Century IIB autopilot with STEC Alt Hold.

The flight aware track doesn't show the plane getting below 1200' (uncorrected for baro) or about 660' AGL. LPV minimums are 789 msl or 269' AGL, but power lines are more like 100 AGL at what I am guessing is most of a mile from the runway. 

So very lucky that they're okay!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just did AUS to Wilmington NC today.  We waited out the cold front but much of the NE was LIFR this afternoon ahead of and behind the system, behind that front is a strong low level shear (I had a 64kt tailwind at 7k 200 miles south of there).  On the way down the ILS just now I had to remind myself to aim for L/D max and stay on the front side of the power curve. Got +20/-15.  One of those days.  LIFR with all that shear ain’t fun.   Dark is another complicating factor. 
 

Also not sure the path - presumably he was on the RNAV GPS 14...  In which case he had a screaming tail wind and was a potential set up for a behind the curve stall wind shear event.  Either that or he tried to peak under.   Glad they are ok.   I’m pretty confident get there itis is going to play heavily in this one given the approach opposite prevailing winds.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would not enjoy sitting tangled in power lines 100 feet above the ground for very long. Apparently the accident occurred around 1815 local, call it three hours ago.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/maryland-plane-crash-leaves-85k-power-two-stranded-inside-dangling-plane

Anyone have a recent update? Is the owner / pilot around here? Getting information direct from the source instead of speculating because there is no one who can answer would go a long way toward preventing future recurrences! 

And yes, I recognize that there will be a significant delay before that happens. They need to change their pants and let the shaking stop, p,us let the investigation(s) do their thing.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let’s see if @jetdriven is around… kind of his neighborhood….

 

Plane has been on the evening news… with the weather people showing the visibility that dropped to about a mile or so…

Ground transportation has been crummy all day… up and down the northeast…

Best regards,

-a-

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure the temperatures a few hours ago, but right now it’s around ten degrees C on the surface. They flew at 4,000 both ways (GAI-HPN and return) today. Upper winds show temps about +2 degrees C at 6k. They were awfully close to the icing range at that temp. 

Not saying icing was a factor. Probably not at all. But curious about the decision to fly in this weather at all: low IFR, freezing levels below 10k, non FIKI aircraft. Doesn’t give a lot of room for decision making. 

Used to be based at GAI. Have flown that approach many times. The ASOS/AWOS is often wrong; the runway lights suck; and there’s a few pieces of ground that create some interesting (mild) eddys on approach. 

hope all are ok!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.