Investigation number
196900007
Occurrence date
Location
5 miles NW Proserpine
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Wirestrike
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

With unrestricted visibility and a wind varying between 5 and 15
knots the pilot planned to spray three sugar cane fields In the one
flight. After spraying a supposedly 28 acre field, he found he had
used spray equivalent to only 21 acres. When no additional area was
Indicated by the ground markers he proceeded to the second field
one-half mile distant and made an aerial Inspection, noting all
obstructions. Then, to reduce the aircraft's load he sprayed the
third field which was obstruction free and located one half mile
distant from the second field. He returned to the second field
after approximately ten minutes, descended and lined up for the
first spraying run. The pilot was conscious of a power line to the
south of his Intended run but forgot the existence of a north south
power line. When he saw the line he applied power to the aircraft
and endeavoured to fly over It, but two cables caught on the
aircraft's tall strut. One cable broke but the second arrested the
aircraft, which crashed into the cane, where It was destroyed by
fire.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-25
Registration
VH-TSI
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
Agricultural Strip NW Proserpine
Destination
Agricultural Strip NW Proserpine
Damage
Destroyed