Incident Overview
An aircraft was substantially damaged after a landing gear collapsed during landing. The gear had been compromised earlier by a wire strike. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at treetop level within a narrow valley. During this flight, the aircraft struck power lines, causing them to break and start a grass fire. The fire was eventually brought under control.
Post-Flight Report and Radar Analysis
Following the flight, the aircrew filed a near-midair report, claiming they hit a power line while executing an evasive maneuver to avoid an imminent collision. However, a review of radar data from the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) DARTS system revealed no other aircraft in the immediate vicinity at the time of the reported incident.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the landing gear collapse. The grass fire ignited by the broken power lines was controlled without further incident. No further details on the aircraft type, registration, operator, or occupants were provided in the source material.