Incident Overview
A pilot flying an airplane in the vicinity of an airstrip near Harvard, Illinois, was invited to land by the airstrip's owner via radio communication. The pilot accepted the invitation, having previously overflown the airstrip and believing it was sufficiently long for a landing. However, he was unaware of any obstacles near the approach path.
Approach and Impact
On short final approach, the pilot observed powerlines crossing the approach end of the airstrip. Attempting to avoid them, he maneuvered to fly underneath the wires. During this attempt, the leading edge of the airplane's vertical stabilizer made contact with a wire. The impact caused the airplane to yaw and pitch up slightly before it descended and struck the ground.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. The aircraft's systems and structure were found to be functioning normally prior to the wire strike.
Pilot Actions and Knowledge
The pilot reported that he had previous familiarity with the airstrip from overflights but lacked knowledge of the powerline obstacles. He relied on his assessment of the airstrip's length for landing safety without accounting for potential obstructions at the approach end.