Incident Overview
According to the pilot, he was on his sixth aerial application pass of the third field for the day when the airplane's tail struck "unseen powerlines." He recalled that the powerline wires crossed the field at an angle and that the powerline poles were hidden by trees on both sides of the field. After the strike, the pilot flew to a nearby airport and landed without further incident.
Damage Details
The vertical stabilizer and the rudder sustained substantial damage.
Operator Interview
During an interview with the operator, the investigator-in-charge asked if documented training was provided to pilots regarding the location of wire hazards for the area of operation. The operator said no. At the request of the investigator-in-charge, the operator agreed to provide documented, local area powerline wire and obstacle avoidance training to the pilots performing aerial application operations for the organization. The operator has completed the recommended training.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to the wire strike that would have prevented normal operation.