Accident Summary
A low-altitude flight over a lake area took an unexpected turn when the pilot initiated a climb over a tree line. Shortly after, the airplane suddenly pitched down, accompanied by an increase in engine RPM. Within seconds, the aircraft pitched back up and began to vibrate. A forced landing was executed in a soft cultivated field. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane flipped to an inverted position. The white and red airplane came to rest approximately half a mile from a high-voltage power transmission line.
Findings
Power company personnel reported that two shield wires of the power line, located 120 feet above ground level, were down. The propeller hub, specifically the spinner, was found dead center of the two shield wires and lying under the lines. Cable marks were visible on the hub. Tree height in the vicinity of the power line was estimated to be between 75 and 100 feet. One of the propeller blades and the spinner exhibited physical impressions consistent with the diameter of the shield wire cable strands. Red paint transfers were noted on portions of the cable.