Incident Details
A Douglas DC-3 airplane was landing at a privately owned airstrip. The operator's general manager reported that during a prelanding inspection of the airstrip, both pilots noticed a large tractor parked alongside the approach end of the airstrip and planned to fly an approach accordingly.
Sequence of Events
As the approach phase of the landing continued, the flight encountered a slight downdraft as the airplane passed over the approach end of the airstrip. During the slight descent, just before touchdown, the airplane's left wing struck a 25-foot high iron mast that was attached to the parked tractor. The collision severed about 14 feet of the airplane's outboard left wing.
Aftermath
After the collision, the crew was able to complete the landing. Both flight crew members reported that they were unaware the 25-foot high iron mast was attached to the tractor.