Scoda Aeronautica Ltda SUPER PETREL LS accident near Hickory, North Carolina, August 13, 2023
On August 13, 2023 at about 3:28 pm local time, a 2022 Scoda Aeronautica Ltda SUPER PETREL LS, registered N239WD, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hickory, North Carolina (Hickory Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2023 · about 3:28 pm local time
- Place
- Hickory, North Carolina · Hickory Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Scoda Aeronautica Ltda SUPER PETREL LS, built 2022 · all SUPER PETREL LSs on the register
- Registration
- N239WD · registry record · serial S0392
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot/owner and the student pilot/passenger departed in the amphibious airplane and flew to a local lake where they were observed conducting a touch-and-go landing and flying low over the water. One witness, who was on his boat dock about 100 yards from a set of energized powerlines that spanned the lake, reported that the airplane was flying level about 100 to 200 ft above the water toward the powerlines. As the airplane approached the powerlines, it appeared to take a sudden nose-down attitude before it impacted the powerlines. There was a large explosion and the airplane impacted the water. The collision also resulted in a electrical power outage to the surrounding community. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed impact signatures consistent with impact with the powerlines and no evidence of any mechanical deficiencies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the witness’ observations, the pilot likely observed the powerlines and attempted to maneuver underneath them. The airplane then struck the powerlines, lost control, and impacted the lake.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,100 hours in all; 8.4 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 24 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 33 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 11, 2023; 33 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rotax 914UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HKY Hickory NC at 3:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 6,401 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from HKY, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHKY 131553Z 20004KT 10SM CLR 28/21 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP161 T02830206
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on July 5, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eyewitness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Additional Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memo for Record_duke Energy News Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Log EXCERPT_2022 Forward | PDF, 19 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Flight Track Maps and Wreckage Location | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Flight Track Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Engine and Airframe Examination | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Toxicological Report_pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.