Incident Overview
The airplane struck power lines while maneuvering at night. FAA radar tracked an aircraft beacon from seven statute miles southeast of Lake Lawn Airport to its last recorded point, 1 mile southwest of Campbell Airport, at 900 feet MSL.
Witness Observations
A witness reported seeing the aircraft flying at a low altitude, with its landing lights illuminating a high power tension line tower. The witness observed three flashes of blue light in the sky. Another witness stated they saw an explosion.
On-Scene Findings
A high-voltage wire was found torn 20 feet west of its 132.25-foot-high tower. The rest of the airplane impacted terrain northwest of the torn high-voltage wire. An on-scene inspection of the airplane revealed control and engine continuity. The on-scene investigation revealed a fire limited to the detached left wing.
Location and Conditions
Campbell Airport's elevation is 788 feet MSL. The airport was about 3/4 mile and 035 degrees from the tower. The pilot's last recorded night flight was June 29, 1998.