Investigation number
198701451
Occurrence date
Location
8 km SSE Echuca
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Wirestrike
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Serious

The pilot was engaged in spraying a small crop of tomatoes. This was the first time he had sprayed this paddock. The farmer provided him with a map of the area to be sprayed, but the powerlines were not marked on the map, so a briefing was conducted on the location of the powerlines. There was a set to the north of the paddock and two sets to the south. Before he commenced spraying, the pilot conducted an aerial inspection of the area. During the aerial inspection he was in radio contact with the farmer and believed he had located all the powerlines. Shortly after commencing the job, the pilot manoeuvred the aircraft for a run in the northerly direction. His intention on this run was to fly below a powerline that on previous runs, because of the disposition of that particular line, he had flown over. When manoeuvring to fly below this line, the aircraft hit another line 80 metres to the south. The pilot was not aware of the presence of the line the aircraft struck. The aircraft hit the ground and was destroyed by the impact and the resulting fire. The briefing received by the pilot was inadequate.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-25
Registration
VH-AMZ
Serial number
25-3472
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
Echuca VIC
Departure time
1015
Destination
Echuca VIC
Damage
Destroyed