Wirestrike involving a Piper PA-25-235, VH-PEG, 15 km east of Deniliquin, New South Wales, on 3 November 1995

The pilot had been landing to the north on the agricultural strip. Because a 10 knot south-westerly wind had developed he decided to land to the south. On short final the aircraft landing gear caught in a power line which the pilot had not seen. The nose pitched down and the aircraft struck the ground very heavily and cartwheeled.

The aircraft was severely damaged. The pilot had sighted a power line, aligned east-north-east, from a house to a post. Another line, the one not seen, ran east-west from the same post, with the next pole out of sight among trees.

Significant Factors

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1 The procedures adopted by the pilot did not detect the presence of the power line.

2 During the landing approach the aircraft landing gear caught on a power line not seen by the pilot.