Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the pilot began work at 07:30 and flew to an airstrip for topdressing operations. At approximately 08:30, the pilot and a passenger—the lessee of the property—conducted a survey flight. During this survey, the passenger pointed out a 220 kV power transmission line with six conductor wires crossing the eastern section of the farm, the area to be topdressed.
Flight Details
Following the survey, the pilot used the airstrip to complete a sowing operation on another farm. After finishing that task, the pilot turned to topdressing the area surveyed about three hours earlier. After refueling, the pilot took off for the first topdressing runs. The aircraft did not return from this flight.
Accident Sequence
Two men working on a fence line observed the aircraft approaching from the direction of the airstrip. It passed out of their sight behind a large knoll, but they could hear the engine making sowing runs. The Fletcher then reappeared, banking steeply and turning right. The men saw "something white" fall from the aircraft just before it dived into the ground. They rushed to the crash site and found the wreckage of ZK-CPN upside down in a creek. There was no fire. There was no sign of life, and they immediately went for help.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that 1.4 meters of the outboard section of the right wing had been severed from the airframe by one of the lower conductor wires of the high-voltage transmission line above the sowing area. Evidence of aircraft impact was found on the wire. The right-hand aileron balance had been separated by the wire and was found some distance from the severed wing section. The aircraft rolled uncontrollably to the right and dived, crashing inverted and in a near-vertical attitude. The flying weather at the time was fine with high cloud only, and visibility was estimated at 30 km.
Probable Cause
The official investigation concluded that the probable cause of this accident was damage sustained when the aircraft collided with a power conductor wire, which deprived the pilot of control of the aircraft.