Event Description
During an aerial application flight, the pilot was flying westward at an altitude between 15 and 40 feet above ground level. The sun was in the pilot's eyes, potentially obscuring visibility. The airplane's rudder struck a wire, causing the rudder to separate from the aircraft. The pilot reported that he believed the airplane had already cleared the wire when the collision occurred.
Landing
Following the rudder separation, the pilot successfully landed the airplane without further incident. No additional damage or injuries occurred during the landing.
Damage
The rudder sustained substantial damage as a result of the wire strike. The rest of the airplane remained intact.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The incident was attributed solely to the wire strike. The pilot's account indicated that the flight was proceeding normally until the collision.