What happened
Following takeoff, the pilot initiated an orientation flight for Air Florida. The pilot, who had accumulated over 2,400 flight hours, descended to an altitude of approximately 300 feet above a lake situated in mountainous terrain. While navigating up a twisting arm of the lake, the aircraft collided with unmarked electrical transmission wires that crossed the waterway. The impact occurred on the right elevator, which caused the aircraft to reverse course and roll inverted before impacting the ground on the shoreline.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision. Examination confirmed that the pilot was flying into unmarked electrical transmission wires. The physical damage was concentrated on the right elevator, which resulted in the loss of control and subsequent inversion of the aircraft.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the wire strike during low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain. The pilot's decision to descend to approximately 300 feet over a lake with unmarked hazards played a critical role in the accident sequence. The high time of the pilot did not prevent the collision with the infrastructure.
Safety message
Pilots conducting orientation or low-level flights in mountainous terrain must be aware of unmarked electrical transmission wires that may cross valleys and lakes. Adequate clearance and situational awareness are essential to avoid such hazards.