Accident Summary
A pilot conducting aerial application operations struck a powerline during a fourth pass over a field. The right main landing gear contacted a wire, which did not sever despite the aircraft's wire cutter. The impact broke the wire, with a section on the right side snapping about 30 feet from the airplane.
Sequence of Events
The wire then passed under the empennage and wrapped around the left elevator. As the wire tightened, it began cutting the left elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The wire on the left side eventually broke, but a 75-foot section remained trailing behind the aircraft.
Post-Accident Actions
Despite the damage, the pilot continued flying. To maintain control, he applied approximately 40 pounds of forward stick pressure and chose not to dump the chemical load. He successfully landed at Newton, Kansas.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated he failed to initiate the pull-up in time to clear the powerline. He also reported fatigue from working approximately 18-hour days during the week preceding the incident.