Accident Overview
A pilot conducting agricultural spraying operations struck an antenna during a low pass over a field. The pilot had previously sprayed the same field in May or early June 2008 and had asked the field owner to mark an approximately 40-foot-tall antenna for better visibility. The antenna was marked with orange tape, which reportedly faded over time.
Flight and Collision
After takeoff from a private airstrip, the pilot flew to the intended field and circled it numerous times while surveying for obstructions and consulting a field map prepared by a local feed company. During a low pass to check wind direction, the pilot noticed the antenna off to the left. He immediately initiated a climbing right turn to avoid it, but the left wing collided with the antenna approximately 12 inches from the top. The airplane abruptly rolled left to an inverted position. The pilot continued the left roll and pushed forward on the stick. The airplane then impacted the ground in a right-wing-low attitude, cartwheeled, and came to rest nearly inverted. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Regulatory Context
Under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 77.13, FAA notification is required for construction or alteration exceeding 200 feet above ground level (agl) within 20,000 feet of an airport. The antenna's height of 40 feet agl and its location about 68,000 feet from the nearest airport did not require such notification.