Incident Overview
On 12 March 2005 at 0415Z, a Piper PA 25-235, registration ZS-FDT, was involved in an incident near Wartburg in the Pietermaritzburg area, South Africa. The aircraft was conducting an agricultural crop-spraying operation. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was not injured. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, he was busy with a crop-spraying detail. He executed an inspection of the area to be sprayed but did not observe the power lines prior to the spray run. The aircraft then collided with power lines 15 meters above the ground. After the collision, the pilot flew back to the landing strip "Klipstrip".
Aircraft Damage
Upon landing, the pilot observed that the aircraft had sustained minor damage to the propeller, left-hand wing strut and leading edge, starboard aileron, and the fan blades of the spray pump below the fuselage.
Meteorological Conditions
According to the pilot, the wind was calm, visibility was CAVOK, temperature 17°C, and cloud nil.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was that the aircraft collided with power lines.