Accident Details
On March 22, 2023, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a SC Aerostar Yak-52, registration N669YK, sustained substantial damage after impacting powerlines during an approach near Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported departing from his home airport bound for New Garden Airport (N57) in Toughkenamon. He stated that he wanted to avoid upsetting his passenger with a significant descent rate in addition to turbulence, so he flew the final approach at an altitude that allowed a gentle rate of descent. He also noted that he had to extend his downwind due to slower landing traffic, which forced a longer straight-in approach.
While on the final leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane unexpectedly began to descend. The pilot added power and raised the nose to arrest the descent. After stabilizing the aircraft, he continued the approach. Witness video from a nearby vehicle's dash camera showed the airplane striking a set of powerlines. Following the impact, the pilot landed in a field just short of the runway. The collision with the powerlines caused substantial damage to the right aileron.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot reported that it was physically impossible to see the powerlines from his seat at the altitude and attitude he was flying, and that he made no attempt to avoid them. In a video posted to an internet video publishing platform, he recounted: "After the airplane sank, I shoved up the power, raised the nose a bit, and stopped the sink. I could still see down the runway, so I continued the approach, didn't see anything directly in front of me." He also stated, "I thought I was further, closer, to the airport than I was, didn't factor these into being a hazard potentially," referring to the powerlines.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported no known preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that the airplane performed as usual for the duration of the flight before the accident.