Wirestrike Accident Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee VH-EHR, Friday 23 March 1990

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Date:	Friday 23 March 1990
Time:	10:05
Type:	Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee
Owner/operator:
Registration:	VH-EHR
MSN:	25-7405643
Year of manufacture:	1974
Engine model:	Lycoming O-540
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	16km NNE of Tatura, VIC - Australia
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	Tatura, VIC
Destination airport:	Tatura, VIC
Investigating agency:	BASI
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot was conducting an aerial clean-up run over a crop of tomatoes, which involved flying under a main set of powerlines and a branch line. As he was flying under the branch line, he began to pull up and then realised the aircraft was in the path of a main line. He attempted to go under the line, but the aircraft contacted the line with the rudder, part of which was severed. The pilot then conducted a forced landing in an area which was found to be unsuitable for landing, resulting in further damage to the aircraft.

Accident investigation: