On August 19, 1999, a Cessna A188B (registration N136MC) was involved in an aviation accident near Seward, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. A factor relating to this accident was the power line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a crop spraying pass under power lines, an aircraft's tail struck a wire, causing separation and inversion. Investigators found no mechanical anomalies in the wreckage.
Incident Overview
A pilot engaged in agricultural spraying operations reported that while flying under power lines on a northbound pass, the tail of the aircraft caught the bottom wire of the power line. The impact tore the tail off and flipped the airplane onto its back. The pilot had been spraying several corn fields and had been flying under the power lines prior to the accident.
Site Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed an east–west running power line located 250 feet ahead of the airplane wreckage. One of the wires from that power line showed evidence of fraying and unraveling, consistent with the contact described by the pilot.
Aircraft Examination
A detailed examination of the airplane wreckage found no pre-existing anomalies or mechanical failures that could have contributed to the accident. The airframe and systems appeared unremarkable prior to the wire strike.
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