Accident Overview
During an aerial application flight over a river, the pilot was engaged in spreading seed when the airplane struck and severed all four wires of an electrical transmission power line. Following the collision, the pilot executed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted tall vegetation.
Aircraft Damage
The fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The extent of the damage indicates a significant impact with the vegetation.
Visibility of Power Lines
According to the pilot and photographs of the area, neither the transmission wires nor the poles were visible above the tree line adjacent to the river banks. This lack of visibility was a factor in the pilot's inability to avoid the power lines.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he had been warned about the transmission lines that extended over the river and acknowledged that he should have located them before the application portion of the flight began.
Conclusion
The accident involved a collision with power lines during an aerial application operation, followed by a forced landing into vegetation. The pilot's prior knowledge of the power lines was noted, but the wires were not visually identifiable from the air due to the tree line.