What happened
During a landing approach, a Cessna 172N struck an aerial powerline, resulting in a crash and a subsequent fire. Evidence from the wreckage and the burn patterns in the paddock suggests the aircraft was traveling west on its final approach. At the time of the impact, the engine was operating at a low power setting, and the flaps were extended to a landing configuration. The aircraft was at a low altitude, which likely prevented the pilot from effectively identifying the hazard before the collision.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the surrounding environment to determine the cause of the wirestrike. While a post-impact fire obscured some pre-impact details, the investigation focused on the aircraft's flight path and the visibility of the powerline. The pilot was known to be familiar with the property and the specific location of the powerline. However, the investigation noted that single wires are notoriously difficult to detect from the air.
Researchers also considered environmental and perceptual factors. The presence of rising terrain beyond the runway may have created a visual illusion, potentially causing the pilot to fly a shallower approach path that intersected with the wire. Additionally, while local wind phenomena known as willy-willies were common in the area, it could not be confirmed if such weather played a role. The investigation found that the aircraft's approach path lacked sufficient clearance to maintain separation from the wire even if a small deviation occurred.
Findings
- The pilot likely lost situational awareness regarding the powerline's location and failed to see it during the approach.
- The powerline was oriented obliquely to the runway, which can make it difficult for a pilot to judge the point of potential conflict.
- The runway thresholds were not marked, which could lead a pilot to inadvertently use a landing point closer to the hazard.
- Inadequate powerline marking meant that the wires were not sufficiently visible to pilots using the runway.
- While the runway length was more than double the required distance for a Cessna 172N, the eastern threshold's proximity to the wire increased the risk of a strike.