MOSES LAKE, WA, USA
N4021Z
AYRES S2R-T34AG
THE PILOT STATED THAT, WHILE RETURNING TO BASE TO RELOAD AFTER CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION ACTIVITY, HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED OUT THE LEFT WINDOW BY ANOTHER FIELD WHICH WAS TO BE SPRAYED LATER. WHEN HE LOOKED AHEAD AGAIN, HE SAW POWER TRANSMISSION LINES IMMEDIATELY AHEAD AND APPLIED IMMEDIATE, ABRUPT FORWARD PRESSURE ON THE STICK. THE AIRCRAFT MISSED THE POWER LINES BUT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.
On February 23 1995, approximately 1420 Pacific standard time (PST), an Ayres S2R-T34AG, N4021Z, impacted the terrain while maneuvering to avoid power lines near Moses Lake, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 137 aerial application flight, which had departed the operator's airstrip about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no fire. The pilot was returning to the airstrip to reload when his attention was distracted by a field which was to be sprayed later. When his attention returned to his flying, he spotted power transmission lines immediately in front of him. He quickly dove the aircraft in order to avoid the wires, but collided with an earthen berm as he passed underneath.
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION AND ATTEMPTED MANEUVER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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