Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from the transmission wire.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was spraying a field heading to the south. As he went under a power line, the left wing tip hit a wire. The pilot reported losing control of the aircraft and crashing in a field.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 16, 1996, at 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 188, N2081J, operated by Miller Aerial Spraying, was substantially damaged when the airplane hit a wire and impacted the ground. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight had departed Tracy Municipal Airport, Tracy, Minnesota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was spraying a field heading to the south. He reported that as he went under a power line, the left wing tip hit a wire. The pilot reported losing control of the aircraft and crashing in a field. -