The aircraft was to spray a paddock of rice with a non-toxic herbicide. The pilot carried out an aerial survey of the area prior to commencing the spraying. During the survey he noted that a spur powerline ran to a pole at the north-eastern corner of the paddock, and mistakenly assumed that the line ended at the pole. No other information about the area to be treated was obtained. As the aircraft approached from the north to commence the first spray run it struck the continuation of the powerline which was strung above the northern boundary of the paddock. The aircraft remained airborne, dragging between 200 and 300 metres of powerline, and was subsequently landed in a wheat stubble paddock.
