Adopted: May 1, 1944

File No. 5102-43

REPORT OF THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

on the

Investigation of an Accident Involving Aircraft During a Local Practice Flight

Pilot Everett Ernest Capps was seriously injured in an accident which occurred 5 miles south of The Dallas, Oregon, about 11:45 a.m. on December 7, 1943. Capps held a student pilot certificate and had flown approximately 49 solo hours, all in the type airplane involved. The aircraft, a Taylorcraft BL-65, NO 26628, owned by the pilot and Norman Clayborne, was demolished.

Student Pilot Capps was cleared for a local practice flight and took off from The Dallas Municipal Airport, Dallesport, Washington about 11.05 a.m. Prior to the take-off he telephone an acquaintance, Roland J. Kaufman, and signified his intention of flying over Kaufman's home and signalling. When he arrived in that vicinity, approximately 5 miles south of the airport, he made several low approaches as if planning to land. On his last approach, the plane contacted the two lower wires of a power line which crossed the flight path about 79 feet above the ground. This impact carried away the leading edge the top fabric of the right wing and the aircraft fell to the ground out of control.

Examinations of the wreckage revealed no evidence of failure of any part of the aircraft prior to impact with the wires. The fuel supply was ample and the engine was functioning properly. Capps stated that he remembered nothing pertaining to the accident.

The cause of this accident was the pilot's reckless flying at a low altitude, which resulted in his inability to avoid an obstruction in his flight path.

BY THE BOARD

/s/

Fred A. Toombs

Secretary