PLT OF A STINSON 108; HIGH WING TAILWHEEL ACFT MOMENTARILY LOST CTL WHEN HE STRUCK A PWR LINE DURING A SIMULATED ENG OUT APCH TO A SMALL GRASS STRIP. THE ACFT'S PROP AND WHEEL FAIRINGS WERE DAMAGED.
Synopsis
PLT OF A STINSON 108; HIGH WING TAILWHEEL ACFT MOMENTARILY LOST CTL WHEN HE STRUCK A PWR LINE DURING A SIMULATED ENG OUT APCH TO A SMALL GRASS STRIP. THE ACFT'S PROP AND WHEEL FAIRINGS WERE DAMAGED.
Narrative
ON FINAL APCH OF A SIMULATED ENG OUT TO A GRASS STRIP; A GUST DROPPED THE AIRPLANE INTO PWR LINES. THE PWR LINES WERE OBSCURED BY A LONE TREE AND ARE; BY NATURE; HARD OR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN TIME TO AVOID. I ELECTED TO FLY THROUGH THEM IN CTL; RATHER THAN MAKE ABRUPT; IN VAIN; MANEUVERS. THE PROP CUT THE WIRES LEAVING THE PLANE 28 DEGS L WING LOW AND 15 DEGS R YAW. FULL L RUDDER AND R AILERON RECOVERED THE PLANE JUST IN TIME TO FLARE WHEN A SECOND GUST PUT THE TOUCHDOWN IN THE R (S) 1/2 OF THE 50 FT RWY. MATURE CORN ON THE RWY EDGE BEGAN HITTING THE R WINGTIP AS THE PLANE SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MPH; DRAGGING IT INTO THE CORN FIELD. MINIMAL DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE PLANE OTHER THAN PROP SPINNER AND FAIRING DAMAGE. THE PWR COMPANY IS GOING TO CONSIDER MOVING THE LINES. I SUGGEST; IF NOT MOVED; TO PAINT THEM INTL ORANGE AND INCLUDE THE ORANGE BALLS. WHILE THE GUSTS MADE CTL DIFFICULT; THE PWR LINE'S ABSENCE WOULD HAVE NEGATED THE INCIDENT. THE GUST WAS STRONG AND POSSIBLY AN 'INVISIBLE' DUST DEVIL.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.