On June 1, 1991, a Beech A36 (registration N324CB) operated by Sound-craft Systems, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Lakeview, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER VISUAL APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTRUCTIONS. FACTORS WERE THE UNMARKED POWER LINES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane struck unmarked high tension lines at about 100 feet AGL while on extended base leg to a private landing strip, then impacted the ground vertically and caught fire. The pilot was familiar with the area and had made one pass before entering a modified left pattern.
Accident Sequence
According to witness accounts, the airplane made one pass over the private landing strip where it intended to land. It then entered what witnesses described as a modified left traffic pattern. On the extended base leg, approximately 1.5 miles from the runway threshold, the airplane struck high tension lines at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level. At the time of the wire strike, the pilot was flying down a river. After striking the wires, the airplane subsequently impacted the ground vertically. An intense post-crash fire erupted shortly after the impact.
Circumstances
There were four airports within a five-mile radius of the power line, and the lines were not marked. The pilot was familiar with the local area and the landing strip. No other details regarding the aircraft, occupants, or injuries were provided in the source.