What happened
During a scheduled crop spraying mission in the vicinity of Putaruru, a single-engine aircraft crashed into a field. The pilot was the only person on board at the time of the accident. While flying at a low altitude, the aircraft collided with overhead power cables. The impact caused the plane to travel approximately 109 meters beyond the initial point of contact before coming to a rest in a field. The force of the crash resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.
Findings
An investigation into the accident identified several contributing factors related to the visibility and positioning of the utility lines. Although a firebreak was present to indicate the location of the wires, the poles supporting the cables were set at varying heights, creating a sloping line. The investigation concluded that the higher pole was hidden from the pilot's perspective, preventing him from recognizing the upward angle of the cables. Consequently, the pilot used the lower pole as his only reference point for crossing the lines, which led to the collision with the elevated portion of the wires.