ATL94LA051

During the final approach to a private, grass airstrip, the pilot observed two utility poles to the left of the final approach path, but thought he was above them. He also reported that the approach was made directly into the sun. While on final, the airplane contacted a power line. Aircraft control was lost, and the aircraft collided with the ground about 200 feet short of the grass runway. The FAA inspector who visited the accident site reported that the power lines were not marked with any type of material which would draw increased attention to their location.

On February 19, 1994, at about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-12, N2964M, collided with a power line during an approach to a private, grass airstrip near Smithfield, North Carolina. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot had minor injuries. The aircraft was owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight from Kenansville, North Carolina, to Smithfield. The flight originated in Kenansville at 0900.

The pilot reported the following: while established on final for landing at the grass airstrip, he did not see a power line that was positioned near the final approach course. He did recall seeing two utility poles on his left while on final approach, and believed that he was above the poles. The aircraft collided with the wire, and the aircraft was landed in an open field. Structural damage to the airframe resulted.

A supervisory inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the wreckage. He reported the following: the wreckage was found approximately 200 feet short of the turf runway. The broken power lines were not marked with any material which would draw increased attention to their location. The left wing was partially separated from the fuselage, beginning at the trailing edge and progressing forward. The left wing was still attached at the forward attachment point. The right wing was basically undamaged. In a telephone conversation after the accident, the pilot reported that he was making an approach to the east, looking directly into the sun.