Investigation number
199800421
Occurrence date
Location
Jandowea
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Collision with terrain
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor

The aircraft was conducting spraying operations in a paddock bounded by a power line. Due to the nearness of the paddock to the power line, it was necessary for the pilot to fly the aircraft under the line at the commencement of each spray run. At the beginning of the accident run, the pilot rolled the aircraft right to clear a small tree. As he did this, the left wing contacted the power line. The aircraft then rolled inverted and struck the ground left wing first, cartwheeling several times before coming to rest inverted. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft before fire consumed the majority of the wreckage.

The pilot confirmed that the aircraft was operating normally at the time of the accident. While maneuvering to avoid the small tree, he had momentarily forgotten about the power line and did not correct quickly enough to prevent the wing contacting it.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
A188B/A1
Registration
VH-DDW
Operation type
Aerial Work
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Kapunn, near Jandowea Qld
Destination
Warra - Janoowie Qld
Damage
Destroyed