On July 20, 1982, a Piper PA-25-150 (registration N6241Z) operated by Charles E. Gimple was involved in an aviation accident near Winamac, IN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During practice maneuvers, an aircraft's engine failed after a low pass, causing a collision with 30-foot power lines. No fuel smell was reported; fuel had been siphoned from farm equipment.
Incident Details
A pilot was practicing aerial application maneuvers at a private airstrip. After making a low pass down the runway, the engine quit. The aircraft subsequently collided with 30-foot-high power lines located at the end of the strip.
Investigation
A state trooper arrived at the scene 10 to 15 minutes after the accident and reported that there was no smell of fuel. The pilot's daughter stated that laborers had been working near the farm prior to the accident and that both the farm's tractor and Caterpillar had fuel siphoned out of their fuel tanks.
No further information regarding the aircraft, pilot, or cause has been released.