Accident Overview
An aircraft struck a 5/8-inch static line on a newly constructed powerline while flying at approximately 100 feet above ground level. The cable was not yet anchored, except with pulleys on each tower, and had about two miles of slack. The wire engaged the left front engine cowl and one propeller blade.
Sequence of Events
The cable was pulled down almost to the ground. When it backlashed, it shattered a telephone pole. The aircraft then impacted on the median of an interstate highway. Witnesses had observed the aircraft maneuvering at low altitude in the area for several minutes prior to the accident.
Environmental Conditions
The accident occurred at dusk, with the pilot flying southwest into the remaining sunlight. Conditions would have made observation of the cable extremely difficult.