MOBRIDGE, SD, USA
N3760E
Piper PA-36-300
The pilot was spraying a field of wheat and was working under non-active power lines going to an abandoned farmstead. During one of the passes the airplane hit one of the wires separating the vertical stabilizer and rudder from the aircraft. The pilot stated that the directional control was lost, but the aircraft continued to fly, wings level, in a skidding turn to the right. Due to an approaching tree line the pilot reduced the engine power and the aircraft impacted level terrain with the wings level. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid to the left, folding the left main gear under the wing.
On June 25, 1998, at 1345 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N3760E, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a power line, loss control and impacted the terrain near Mobridge, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was being operated by Mott Aerial Spray, Mobridge, South Dakota. The flight originated at the Mobridge Municipal Airport, near Mobridge, South Dakota, at 1315. According to the pilot's written statement, he was spraying a field of wheat and was working under non-active power lines going to an abandoned farmstead. During one of the passes under the power lines the airplane hit one of the wires separating the vertical stabilizer from the aircraft along with the rudder. The pilot stated that the directional control was lost, but the aircraft continued to fly, wings level, in a skidding turn to the right. Due to an approaching tree line the pilot reduced the engine power and the aircraft impacted level terrain with the wings level. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid to the left, folding the left main gear under the wing.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the power lines, and the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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