Incident Overview
A pilot aspiring to become an agricultural pilot was conducting low passes over a field to practice. During one pass, the aircraft collided with three power transmission cables. The cables, a 300-foot span of number 8 gauge copper conductor, were suspended approximately 45 to 50 feet above the ground. The propeller struck the cables.
Sequence of Events
Following the collision, an in-flight fire erupted in the cockpit area. The fire originated at a break in a fuel line that ran from the fuel selector valve to the engine. The pilot, who suffered second and third degree burns to his face, arms, and left leg, managed to land the airplane hard. The impact collapsed one of the main landing gear components. After the aircraft came to a stop, the pilot egressed unaided. The fire then spread, ultimately destroying the airplane.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the collision with the power transmission cables. The pilot's failure to see the cables was noted.