Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane contacted wires during an aerial application swath run. The pilot stated he was aware of the location of the wires and that he misjudged the clearance. The pilot flew the airplane back to his private airstrip after striking the wires.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 1, 1995, at 1600 central daylight time, a Schweitzer G- 164B, N6682K, operated by Jenson Air Spray, collided with wires during a swath run over a field in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Grand Forks, North Dakota, at 1530 cdt. The pilot stated that he was aware of the wires which crossed through the field he was spraying. He stated during a telephone interview that he misjudged his clearance with the wires. The pilot flew the airplane back to his private airstrip without incident after striking the wires. -