What happened
On February 15, 2004, a Socata TB 9, registration I-IAFO, was conducting a recreational flight from Siena Ampugnano airport with a pilot and two passengers on board. After flying over the Montalcino area, the pilot proceeded toward Campagnatico to perform two turns over an agricultural property belonging to an acquaintance. During the flight over a wooded area, the aircraft struck medium-voltage power lines, causing the cables to break. Following the impact, the pilot verified the aircraft's controllability and successfully returned to Siena Ampugnano for landing. There were no fatalities or injuries among the occupants.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight path and the pilot's statements regarding the cause of the impact. While the pilot suggested that a sudden downdraft might have caused a momentary loss of control, investigators noted a contradiction in this claim, as the pilot had previously reported favorable meteorological conditions with almost no wind. The investigation focused on the aircraft's altitude and the visibility of the obstacles during the maneuvers.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to the propeller spinner, propeller, wing semi-spans, and the stabilizer.
- The impact resulted in the breakage of the ENEL medium-voltage power cables.
- The investigation concluded that the primary cause was the failure to maintain the minimum safety altitude while maneuvering near the agricultural property, which led to the pilot failing to notice the presence of the power lines.