What happened
Two aircraft were engaged in team spraying operations over an agricultural field. Prior to beginning the actual spray runs, the pilots circled the field to identify potential obstacles. The first airplane initiated its swath run across the target area. The second airplane followed the lead aircraft into the field but failed to visually acquire a power line in its flight path.
The second aircraft struck the power line and subsequently crashed into the field below. Despite the violent impact, the pilot of the second aircraft managed to escape the wreckage uninjured. However, the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire following the collision.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision. Examination of the site confirmed that the second airplane had impacted a power line during the approach phase of the operation. The mechanical failure or structural integrity of the first aircraft was not cited as a factor, nor were any mechanical issues with the second aircraft identified prior to the impact.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to this accident was the pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line while maneuvering in close proximity to the ground. The team spraying operation requires high situational awareness, particularly when following another aircraft into a confined area. The inability to detect the obstruction despite the pre-operation circle suggests that visual scanning techniques were insufficient for the specific hazard present.
The total destruction of the aircraft by fire indicates the severity of the impact energy transferred through the power line. While the pilot survived without injury, the loss of the airframe was absolute. This incident highlights the critical importance of obstacle detection in low-altitude aerial application work, where hazards such as utility lines may be difficult to discern against complex backgrounds.
Safety message
Pilots conducting team spraying operations must maintain heightened vigilance for obstacles that may not be visible from a distance or during initial circling patterns. Pre-flight and pre-operation visual scans should be thorough and repeated as the aircraft enters the work area. Communication between team members regarding known hazards is essential to prevent collisions with fixed objects such as power lines, towers, and trees.