Overview
The accident occurred during a return flight to Winona-Montgomery County Airport, Mississippi, after the pilot and his son had dropped off other family members. The airplane was observed from the pilot’s in-laws’ residence, located near the airport, as it flew overhead at a low altitude before colliding with unmarked electrical wires.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported that the airplane flew north over the house, then turned and approached the house at a low altitude. The left landing gear struck power lines spanning east to west across a pond behind the house. The impact caused the airplane to nose over, strike the ground at the water line, and then cartwheel through several trees before coming to rest upside down in the backyard. All major components were accounted for at the site.
Weather and Lighting
At 1453 local time, weather conditions at Greenwood-Leflore Airport (18 nautical miles west) were calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 4°C, dew point 3°C, and altimeter 30.13 inHg. The sun at 1500 local time was at an altitude of 18.7° and azimuth of 227.5°; the accident airplane’s energy path was on an azimuth of 210°.
Aircraft Examination
Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all surfaces except the elevator tube assembly, which was found separated in an area of impact damage. The left main landing gear spring showed a 0.5-inch-wide impact mark on the leading edge with evidence of electrical arcing. The left main wheel assembly was separated from the spring. The power line struck was an unmarked, half-inch-diameter electrical wire spanning the pond at an estimated height of 75 feet. Examination of the engine and propeller at certified repair stations revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction.