YUMA, AZ, USA
N4165X
Rockwell S-2R
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DEPARTED FROM THE JACKSON AG STRIP AT ABOUT 0400 HOURS AFTER LOADING CHEMICALS TO BE SPRAYED ON A FIELD ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE EAST. THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH NO MOON VISIBLE. THE PILOT SELECTED 300 FEET AGL AS A CRUISE ALTITUDE DURING THE FLIGHT TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THINKS HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONGER THAN EXPECTED CROSS WIND WHICH BLEW HIM ABOUT ONE MILE OFF COURSE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN UNLIGHTED 'H' FRAME POWER LINE SUPPORT STRUCTURE AT A POWER STATION.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT A CRUISE ALTITUDE WHICH WOULD ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT WHICH INHIBITED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO SEE THE OBSTRUCTION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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