Event CEN11CA011

Factual narrative

The pilot and passenger planned to disperse cremated remains from an airplane. As the pilot made a low pass over the graveyard, the pilot heard a “load bang and the windshield” broke. The pilot was able to remain airborne and returned to the airport for a normal landing. Examination of the airplane and accident site revealed that a static wire impacted the airplane’s windshield and instrument panel. The wire continued to cut into the left and right sides of the airplane, causing structural damage to the fuselage. Following the accident, the pilot reported no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane. The pilot and passenger planned to disperse cremated remains from the airplane during the flight. As the pilot made a low pass over the graveyard, he heard a loud "bang" and the windshield broke. The pilot was able to remain airborne and returned to the airport for a normal landing. Examination of the airplane and accident site revealed that the airplane struck a static wire, impacting the airplane’s windshield and instrument panel. The wire continued to cut into the left and right sides of the airplane, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. Following the accident, the pilot reported no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-(general)-(general)-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition - C