Stephenson STOL CH 701 accident near Mount Vernon, IN
On October 24, 2014, a Stephenson STOL CH 701 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Mount Vernon, IN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 24, 2014
- Place
- Mount Vernon, IN
- Aircraft
- Stephenson STOL CH 701 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.904°N, 87.790°W
- NTSB ID
- 20141025X00646
Official records · CEN15LA026
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 24, 2014, about 1900 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Stephenson STOL CH 701 airplane, N34WS, struck powerlines and impacted terrain near Mount Vernon, Indiana. A ground fire subsequently occurred. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The local flight originated from a private airstrip at time unknown. A witness, who was working farmland just north of the accident site, reported that he was traveling eastbound on his tractor when the airplane flew from behind and to the right of his position. The airplane was about 30 feet above ground level and about 50 feet to the farmer's right. When the airplane passed him, it pitched up and turned right heading southbound. He observed the airplane flying "right into the powerlines." The power lines arced and the airplane caught on fire. The power lines held the airplane aloft. The witness called 911 and drove to the accident site. The airplane was on the ground and the fire engulfed the airplane when he arrived at the site. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe 69 year-old pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating. The pilot's most recent FAA airman medical certificate was a third class medical certificate, dated October 3, 2012.
Probable cause
The pilot’s impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol and sedating medications, which led to her improper decision to conduct low-level flight, affected her ability to safety operate the airplane, and resulted in her failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
More accidents in IN
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Browse: Indiana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
