Incident Overview
An agricultural operator's biplane collided with the ground support cables of a 322-foot-high microwave tower while maneuvering on a base leg for landing. The collision caused the right wings to separate from the aircraft, which then crashed and burned, resulting in the pilot's death.
Pilot Background
The pilot held 25,000 total flight hours and had been flying in the immediate area for over 20 years. According to the investigation source, the pilot was aware of the tower's existence due to his extensive local experience.
Witness Account
A witness reported that the aircraft was flying into the rising morning sun at the time of the accident. The witness stated that the pilot may have been blinded by the sun's glare, potentially impairing his ability to see the tower cables.