On July 12, 1983, a Cessna 188B (registration N731AC) was involved in an aviation accident near Shelton, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power line while maneuvering for a spray run, which resulted in the aircraft striking the cable and crashing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A crop dusting aircraft crashed and burned after its right wing struck a power line cable during a maneuver for a fourth spray run over rolling terrain.
What happened
The pilot had recently finished dusting one airfield and began operations on a second field situated on rolling terrain. After completing three swath runs over the second field, he was maneuvering to begin a fourth pass when the aircraft's right wing struck a power line cable. The impact tore off the leading edge and tip of the wing, causing the aircraft to crash and burn.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the right wing sustained significant damage from contact with an overhead utility line during low-altitude maneuvering.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power line while maneuvering for a spray run, which resulted in the aircraft striking the cable and crashing.
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