ERA19LA157

Factual narrative

On April 22, 2019, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bearhawk LSA, N289EH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Holly Ridge, North Carolina. The private pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while on final approach to his destination airport, he noticed a line of trees. After clearing the trees, he started his decent to runway 14. While on short final, the airplane became entangled in the powerlines and collided with the ground. The pilot stated that he knew of the powerlines, but thought they may have been raised. He said that he had not checked the airport/facility directory before the flight, which noted the placement and height of the powerlines. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was intact and came to rest on its nose. The nose of the airplane was crushed aft and both wings displayed leading edge crush damage. He did not observe any anomalies with the flight controls. Review of airport information revealed that the powerlines were located 50 ft from the runway 14 threshold and were 60 ft tall. Runway 14 had a displaced threshold with an approach slope ratio of 1:1 in order to clear the powerlines. The pilot reported that, while on final approach for landing, the airplane impacted powerlines and collided with the ground, resulting in substantial damage. He stated that he knew of the powerlines, but stated that he had not checked the airport/facility directory, which noted the placement and height of the powerlines. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of airport information revealed that the powerlines were located 50 ft from the runway threshold and were 60 ft tall. The accident is consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a known obstacle during the landing approach. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Flight planning/navigation-Pilot
• F Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Contributed to outcome