What happened
During a local cross-country flight, the pilot observed a northbound freight train and decided to intercept it. He maneuvered the aircraft south of the train, lined up parallel with the tracks, and began a descent. As he approached the power lines running alongside the tracks, they appeared at eye level. The pilot attempted to pull up to avoid contact, but the wires caught on the main landing gear. This impact caused the airplane to flip onto its back and come to rest inverted on the ground.
The investigation
The examination of the accident site revealed that the aircraft had struck overhead power lines during the low-level maneuver. The main landing gear was found entangled with the wires, which initiated the rollover sequence. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified that would have precluded normal operation of the aircraft prior to the collision.
Findings
The pilot's decision to conduct a low-altitude maneuver in proximity to overhead utility lines contributed significantly to the accident. The failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power lines resulted in the gear striking the wires and the subsequent loss of control. Weather conditions were not cited as a factor, and visibility was sufficient for the pilot to see the obstacles.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise extreme caution when conducting low-level maneuvers near infrastructure such as power lines, railways, or roads. Maintaining safe clearance distances is critical to avoid collisions with fixed objects that may be difficult to judge accurately from the cockpit.