What happened
On 8 July 2000, a PA28-180 aircraft, registration ZS-ISI, was conducting a private local flight departing from and returning to Potchefstroom. During the flight, the aircraft encountered high-tension electrical cables located near Scandenavia by the Vaal River. The pilot reported that the wires were not identified in time to perform an evasive maneuver, resulting in the vertical stabilizer making contact with the cables. The impact was forceful enough to sever the rotating beacon from the top of the stabilizer. Following the strike, the pilot promptly returned to Potchefstroom to land. Upon post-flight inspection, it was noted that the horizontal stabilizer had also sustained slight bending.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the contact with the power lines and the resulting damage to the airframe. The investigation confirmed that the weather conditions at the time of the occurrence were clear with good visibility (CAVOK). The investigation also noted an administrative detail regarding the aircraft's status, observing that while the aircraft had been sold over a year prior, the registration transfer to the new owner, ISI Aviation cc, had not yet been finalized.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was flying at an insufficient altitude, which prevented the pilot from detecting and avoiding the high-tension conductors.
- The impact with the cables caused the loss of the rotating beacon and structural deformation to the horizontal stabilizer.