Summary
The Merredln Shire landing field Is 4.5 miles south east of Merredln and, after arrival In the area, the pilot
decided to select a landing field closer to the town since arrangements for transport after landing had not been
made. He selected for examination a field 1.5 miles north of the town, oriented approximately north and south.
After flying at 700 feet above terrain Immediately to the east of the field on a northerly heading, the pilot
carried out a descending turn to port with the intention of examining the surface from a low altitude. He
levelled out on a southerly heading at a height of about 20 feet and almost Immediately the aircraft ran through
three cables of a power line. There was a bright flash of electrical discharge from the port wing, the wlndscreen
disintegrated, one high tension wire was caught In the aircraft fin and all three wires were torn from the two
nearest poles which were 900 feet apart. The aircraft moved to the left of Its Intended flight path and travelled
approximately 550 feet before contacting the ground with the port wing and engine. It then cartwheeled
horizontally on to the starboard wing coming to rest facing 180 degrees from the direction of its final
approach to the landing area.
