Summary
The aircraft was operating from a strip aligned north and south and located in flat, open, grass covered
terrain. The approaches to the strip were good but 1350 feet south of the southern threshold a power tine
30 feet high and supported on wooden poles ran at right angles to the approach path. After completing the
spraying of an oat crop which was situated about one mile to the south west of the strip, the pilot was
approaching from the south for his third and last landing for the day. The aircraft was observed to be
flying at a low level for a considerable distance before the undercarriage legs struck the power line, some
70 feet to the left of one of the supporting poles. The lines stretched, retarding the aircraft which pitched
down until one wire snapped and the second slipped clear of the undercarriage. The aircraft struck the
ground in a vertical nose down attitude 105 feet beyond the point of impact with the wire, then fell on to its
back and slid inverted for 25 feet. On impact with the ground the forward fuselage collapsed and burst into
flames which spread rapidly. The pilot was trapped in the cockpit for several minutes until the nearest
witnesses, who were one half mile away were able to reach the scene. The aircraft tail had to be physically
lifted and the pilot's harness released before he could be dragged clear of the wreck.
