Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout. Factors include light conditions at dusk.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While maneuvering at low level in order to look at a possible future landing site, the aircraft impacted a power line in the subdued light of dusk. The pilot said that he had not seen the wire prior to the impact.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 13, 1994, approximately 1800 mountain standard time (MST), a Maule M-4-220C, N40318, collided with a power line while maneuvering about seven miles west of Dubois, Idaho. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Dubois Municipal Airport, Dubois, Idaho, about 10 minutes earlier, was in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the subsequent impact with the ground, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at low level to take a look at a future landing site when he impacted a power line. He said that he did not see the wire prior to the impact. -