What happened
On July 10, 2011, an ICP MXP740 Savannah, registration 59-CBE, was engaged in a private leisure flight through the Ourthe valley. The flight originated from a private airfield in Lincé. While cruising at approximately 550 feet amsl and traveling at 166 km/h, the aircraft struck a 70kV high-voltage power line near Comblain-au-Pont. The impact severed the aircraft's left wing and caused the fuselage to crash onto the banks of the Ourthe river. The pilot sustained serious injuries, including life-threatening wounds that required extensive surgery and limb amputations.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path using data retrieved from the pilot's GPS, as the aircraft was not equipped with a flight recorder. Investigators analyzed the physical damage to the wreckage, noting that the left wing showed signs of electrical arcing from contact with the cables. The investigation also reviewed the visibility of the obstacle, finding that while the power line was documented on aeronautical charts, it lacked any physical markers, such as warning balls or lights, to increase its visibility to pilots. Furthermore, the investigation identified that the pilot was flying below the minimum required VFR altitude and that the aircraft's permission to fly in Belgian territory had expired.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inadequate flight preparation and operating the aircraft below the minimum required altitude.
- The high-voltage power line crossing the valley lacked visual markers to assist in aerial detection.
- The power lines were difficult to identify from the air due to the dark background of the valley.
- The pilot's flight log and GPS records indicated discrepancies regarding the departure and arrival airfields.