Incident Overview
An 80-hour pilot collided with unmarked powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude at dusk. According to the operator, after departure the pilot encountered lowering ceilings en route to a nearby non-towered airport. The ceilings continued to drop to about 300 feet, at which point the pilot elected to execute a 180-degree turn and return to Grand Prairie.
Sequence of Events
While en route back, the pilot heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash of light. The engine sputtered but then continued to run normally. The pilot reported that he was following railroad tracks southbound at low altitude en route to the non-towered airport when he collided with powerlines.
Investigation Findings
FAA inspectors, with assistance from the power company, located the collision point where the railroad tracks make a shallow right turn. The broken powerline was found suspended 28 feet above the tracks. Paint transfers on portions of the severed wire matched the color scheme of the wings. The damage to the right wing is consistent with the southbound right turn scenario described by the pilot.