Breckenridge, MI, USA
N23EG
Ayres S2R-G6
The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the terrain after striking a powerline during an aerial application flight. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane initiate a pass at the field being sprayed. The witnesses reported that airplane struck the bottom wire of a set of powerlines that ran through the field. The witnesses reported seeing a part of the airplane come off when the airplane hit the wire. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder had been torn from the airplane. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were found near the powerlines. No pre-impact defects were found with respect to the airplane, it's engine, or systems.
On August 19, 2003, at 0755 eastern daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G6, N23EG, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain after striking a powerline near Breckenridge, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Wheeler, Michigan, at 0715. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane initiate a south to north pass at the field being sprayed. The witnesses reported that airplane struck the bottom wire of a set of powerlines that ran through the field. The witnesses reported seeing a part of the airplane come off when the airplane hit the wire. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder had been torn from the airplane. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were found near the powerlines. No pre-impact defects were found with respect to the airplane, it's engine, or systems. The pilot of the airplane initially survived the accident, however, he perished while en-route to the hospital. An autopsy was performed on behalf of the Saginaw County Medical Examiner's Office, on August 21, 2003. A "Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report" listed 0.091 ug/ml Chlorpheniramine detected in the blood. Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine commonly used for cold and allergy symptoms.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines during the aerial application pass rendering the airplane uncontrollable. The powerlines were a factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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