What happened
On September 10, 2002, a Piper PA-36-375 was conducting agricultural spraying operations over orange groves, operating from an improvised airstrip near San Miguel de Salinas. During a low-altitude maneuver, the aircraft struck low-voltage electrical cables. The impact caused the cables to sever, but the aircraft's integrated wire cutters successfully functioned, allowing the aircraft to continue its flight path back to the departure airstrip without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the impact and the subsequent condition of the aircraft and infrastructure. The pilot reported feeling a slight tug on the aircraft during the maneuver, which led to the realization that the wires had been struck. A post-flight inspection revealed that the wire cutter element located on the left main landing gear had been bent by the impact. No other damage was found on the aircraft. The investigation also confirmed that the low-voltage lines were severed. The pilot, who held a valid commercial license with approximately 700 total flight hours, reported good visibility and calm wind conditions at the time of the event. The aircraft was found to have a valid airworthiness certificate and was being maintained according to the authorized program.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot failed to perceive the presence of the electrical lines.
- Low-voltage lines present a significant hazard because the supporting poles are relatively small, making them much harder to detect than high-voltage towers.
- The aircraft's wire-cutting equipment functioned as intended, preventing more severe damage to the airframe.