CircumFlightN92640 Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A accident
NTSB CEN10CA406 · 2010-07-10 · Muncie, IN
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot was making aerial application runs to two fields that had high tension power lines running between them. The airplane contacted an additional smaller wire that ran from the high tension lines to a substation located one-quarter of a mile away. The smaller wire, which was 73 feet above the ground, was not marked and there were no poles for this wire between high tension lines and the substation. After contacting the wire, the pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing due to the wire strike.
Full narrative
The pilot was making aerial application swath runs to two fields that had high tension power lines running between them. The airplane contacted an additional smaller wire that ran from the high tension lines to a substation located one-quarter of a mile away. The smaller wire, which was 73 feet above the ground, was not marked and there were no poles for this wire between high tension lines and the substation. After contacting the wire, the pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing due to the wire strike.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line during an aerial application flight. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 310
- Wind speed (kt)
- 4
- Temperature (F)
- 68
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N92640 | WSK PZL MIELEC | M-18A | SUBS | 137 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event defining | Climb |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition | cause |