What happened
The aircraft was operating in close proximity to the Yakima River, where a group of rafters was present on the water below. According to reports, the student pilot was attempting to "buzz" the rafters, a maneuver that involves flying very low over a target. During this operation, the aircraft struck a power line at an altitude of approximately 25 feet above ground level.
The impact caused the power line to fall from its supports. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the right wing of the aircraft. Despite the structural damage and the loss of the power line, the student pilot retained control of the plane and continued the flight. The pilot subsequently returned to Bowers Field and completed a landing without any additional incidents or injuries reported.
The investigation
The examination of the event focused on the circumstances surrounding the low-altitude maneuver. Investigators noted that the aircraft had struck a power line, which was subsequently downed by the force of the impact. The physical evidence confirmed that the right wing sustained substantial damage from the collision with the utility infrastructure.
Findings
The primary factor in this event was the decision to perform a low-altitude maneuver over a populated area with overhead utilities. Flying at approximately 25 feet AGL near a river corridor presented an immediate hazard due to the presence of power lines that may not be easily visible or anticipated by pilots engaged in such activities. The substantial damage to the wing highlights the risks associated with low-level flying, even when the aircraft remains controllable and the pilot escapes serious injury.