Incident Details
During an aerial application flight, the aircraft struck a powerline, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that weather conditions were hot and humid, with clouds beginning to build into thunderheads. Visibility was good, but moderate turbulence was present near the ground.
Flight Pattern
The pilot was flying a racetrack pattern and had passed under a set of powerlines multiple times. On the affected approach, the top wing obstructed the view of the line. The pilot used the base of the tower as a reference point, noting that the end of the field was approximately 400 feet ahead.
Pilot Actions
The pilot described feeling a sensation of a rapid rise. He pushed the control stick forward, but there was no change. He then pushed the stick hard to the stop, yet the aircraft continued ascending. The pilot then struck the powerline. He applied hard left rudder while keeping the stick forward. After bouncing, the aircraft pitched nose down. The pilot straightened the aircraft to level flight and flew a straight line to inspect the structure. He observed no vibration and noted that nothing was missing. The subsequent landing was uneventful.
Mechanical Status
The pilot stated that the aircraft did not have a mechanical malfunction prior to the impact with the powerline.