Incident Overview
During a maneuver intended to videotape a passenger's residence, the pilot operated the aircraft at an altitude of 4 to 5 feet above ground level (AGL) over a road. The airplane subsequently struck a transmission line that crossed the road. The transmission line was at a height of 23 feet 3 inches AGL. The collision tore off the outboard portion of the right wing and the upper section of the rudder.
Damage and Debris
The aircraft's vertical height from the bottom of the fuselage to the top of the vertical stabilizer and rudder measured 5 feet 5 inches. The upper portion of the rudder, still entangled with the transmission line, along with 8 feet 9 inches of the outboard right wing, were found on the road below.
Pilot Report and Video Evidence
The pilot reported that after the strike, the control yoke would not move aft of neutral. The airplane descended with full throttle applied, then suddenly rolled to the right and impacted the terrain in an inverted attitude. The videotape recording of the flight showed the aircraft during the maneuver; throughout the video, engine power was audible, and no visible discrepancies with the flight controls were observed.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the aircraft revealed that flight control continuity was confirmed, and no preimpact discrepancies were identified. The airframe and systems appeared to have been functional prior to impact.
Pilot Experience
According to the pilot's logbook, between October 1993 and August 1995, he logged 10.5 hours in a PA-28R-200 airplane. From August 1995 onward, he accumulated 10.0 hours, including a flight review, in a PA-28-161 airplane. No additional details regarding the accident aircraft's type or registration were provided.