Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was flying his airplane low around a private airport when the tailwheel and propeller hit several powerlines. The airplane descended to the ground and struck the railroad tracks of a scaled miniature railroad directly below the powerlines. The impact with the ground bent the bottom of the rudder and the right wing and resulted in the separation of the main landing gear. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies or failures.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was flying his airplane low around a private airport when the tailwheel and propeller hit several powerlines. The airplane descended to the ground and struck the railroad tracks of a scaled miniature railroad directly below the powerlines. The impact with the ground bent the bottom of the rudder and the right wing and resulted in the separation of the main landing gear. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies or failures.