On February 19, 1994, a Piper PA-12 (registration N2964M) operated by Jones, Gareth B. was involved in an aviation accident near Smithfield, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS WERE THE UNMARKED POWER LINES LOCATED UNDER THE FINAL APPROACH PATH, AND THE SUN GLARE THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane struck a power line on final approach to a private grass airstrip, then crashed about 200 feet short of the runway. The pilot reported two utility poles and a direct sun glare.
Approach and Power Line Strike
During the final approach to a private, grass airstrip, the pilot observed two utility poles to the left of the final approach path. He believed he was above them. The approach was made directly into the sun. While on final, the airplane contacted a power line. Control was lost, and the aircraft collided with the ground approximately 200 feet short of the grass runway.
Post-Accident Observations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who visited the accident site reported that the power lines were not marked with any type of material that would draw increased attention to their location.