What happened
A private pilot performed a landing on an asphalt residential street that was approximately 1,600 feet long and 22 feet wide. This street was located roughly 4,000 feet east of the intended destination runway, which measured 2,600 feet in length and 26 feet in width. Both the intended runway and the residential street were oriented north-south and terminated at the same east-west road. Additionally, both locations featured orange windsocks situated to their east.
During the landing on the street, the left wing of the single-engine tailwheel airplane struck a signpost located adjacent to the roadway. Following a brief back taxi, the pilot attempted to take off from the street. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft drifted under two adjacent transmission lines. As the plane continued its climb, the left wing moved under and slid along the lower transmission line. The aircraft then rolled across the wires and impacted the ground in a near vertical descent, resulting in a post-crash fire.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe and engine was conducted following the accident. The inspection did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the aircraft.