What happened
On the day of the accident, the pilot was engaged in agricultural spraying operations. Having recently finished treating a 243-hectare paddock, the pilot landed to replenish supplies. Upon departing for a subsequent task, the pilot performed an aerial survey of the field before beginning the first spray run. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) powerline positioned near a windmill and a fence line adjacent to a road.
At the moment of impact, the aircraft was executing a right-hand bank of approximately 18 degrees. The wire made contact with the right main landing gear and the outboard struts of the spray boom. While the wire snapped upon contact, the aircraft struck the terrain forcefully on its right side. The impact caused the landing gear to detach, and the propeller struck the ground, leading the aircraft to slide approximately 27 meters. A fire erupted immediately after the aircraft came to a halt, destroying the forward section of the airframe. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash focused on several potential factors. One theory suggested that the pilot may have been distracted by professional pressures resulting from recent maintenance delays that had disrupted his schedule. Another possibility was that the pilot misjudged the location of the SWER line, mistakenly believing it was positioned outside the fence and away from the flight path.
Investigators also examined why the pilot's injuries were fatal in an accident that appeared survivable. While there were questions regarding whether the seat harness was properly secured or if the inertia reel had malfunctioned, post-mortem evidence suggested the inertia reel likely functioned as intended. Ultimately, it was determined that the pilot failed to detect the powerline in time to avoid the collision.