What happened
The aircraft was engaged in an agricultural application mission, specifically spraying a field that necessitated flight beneath two distinct sets of high-power lines. During the operation, the pilot completed one pass under the first set of wires without incident. On the subsequent third pass, while approaching the second set of powerlines, the pilot initiated a climb too early in the sequence. This premature ascent resulted in the aircraft striking the second set of wires.
The investigation
Post-accident review focused on the flight path and the pilot's account of the event. The physical evidence confirmed contact with the second span of high-voltage infrastructure. No mechanical failure or system malfunction was identified as a contributing factor to the collision.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's spatial misjudgment regarding altitude clearance. The pilot acknowledged in the official accident report that the error stemmed from a split-second lapse in judgment concerning the timing of the climb maneuver relative to the powerline obstacle. This indicates a failure to maintain adequate vertical separation while navigating complex terrain obstacles during low-level agricultural operations.