Accident Description
While conducting a low-level swath run beneath electrical transmission lines, the aircraft's vertical stabilizer and rudder made contact with the wires. The impact caused the vertical stabilizer and rudder to detach from the airframe. The pilot then tried to return to the airport, but found the aircraft uncontrollable due to the loss of the vertical stabilizer. An emergency landing was attempted in a field. During the landing, the aircraft contacted the ground in a side slip.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported having flown under the same electrical transmission lines on at least 25 previous occasions without any contact. No further details about the flight or the pilot's experience were provided in the source.
Sequence of Events
The accident occurred during a swath run, which typically involves low-altitude flight for agricultural or survey purposes. The aircraft was flying under the power lines when the vertical tail surfaces struck the wires. After the separation, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control and chose to land in a field. The landing was not successful, as the aircraft ended up in a side slip upon ground contact.