What happened
The incident involved a noncertificated pilot who operated an airplane without authorization. According to statements provided to investigating police officers, the individual initially intended to crash the aircraft into the residence of his estranged wife. During the approach, the pilot executed several low passes over the target house.
At some point during the maneuvering, the pilot abandoned the original intent to impact the structure. However, the flight path resulted in a collision with overhead wires. The pilot later reported that his aviation experience was limited to learning how to fly using a computer flight simulator program and operating radio-controlled model airplanes.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the operation of the aircraft by an individual who lacked a valid pilot certificate. The pilot's background in simulation and model aircraft did not translate to safe real-world flight operations, leading to the loss of control or situational awareness that resulted in the wire strike.