What happened
The pilot received a weather briefing prior to departure that explicitly advised against visual flight rules (VFR) operations due to unfavorable conditions. Despite this warning, the pilot elected to take off. Shortly after departing, the aircraft encountered low ceilings and reduced visibility.
While searching for a highway to use as a reference for an emergency landing, the aircraft collided with power lines. The impact occurred on the top of the vertical stabilizer. Following the collision, the pilot continued flying and managed to complete an uneventful landing at an airport.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the contact with the power lines. It was determined that the aircraft struck the wires while the pilot was attempting to locate a highway for a forced landing. The damage sustained was limited to the top of the vertical stabilizer.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the decision to fly despite adverse weather conditions. The pilot encountered low ceilings and visibilities that made navigation difficult. The contact with the power lines was a direct result of these conditions combined with the search for a suitable landing area.