Power Line Patrol Aircraft Impacts Terrain in Steep Nose-Down Attitude (N83503)

Accident Details

A single-engine aircraft was conducting a power line patrol mission with a pilot and a rear-seat occupant acting as an observer. The observer was also present to assist the company in route familiarization for the pilot but was assigned no other official crewmember duties. The accident occurred while the aircrew were patrolling the line toward the southwest with a head wind. The aircraft impacted the ground in a steep nose-down attitude on the leeward side of steeply rising terrain. The wreckage was confined within a radius of 30 feet, with the exception of a fuel cap and a red navigation light that were slightly farther away.

Investigation Findings

Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failures, and flight control continuity was established. The elevation of the crash site was about 7,000 feet MSL, and the density altitude was about 10,000 feet.