ATL95LA138

During aerial application over a farmer's field, the pilot was flying under power lines. The airplane's left wing struck a guy wire, 12 feet above the ground. The aircraft then collided with trees and terrain at the end of the field.

On July 18, 1995, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N731EM was substantially damaged following a collision with electrical lines and the terrain near Allendale, South Carolina. The commercial pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 by Robert McMillan Jr. of Waynesboro, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight departed Allendale, South Carolina at an undetermined time.

The aircraft was flying under power lines at the end of a field during a spray swath. The airplane struck a guy wire 12 feet above the ground, protruding from a utility pole. The airplane's left wing struck the guy wire, causing the aircraft to collide with trees at the end of the field, and impact the terrain.

An autopsy of Mr. Spruce was performed on July 19, 1995 by Dr. Kim A. Collins, Forensic Pathology Department, Medical University of South Carolina. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma.

A toxicology examination of Mr. Spruce was performed by Dr. Kim A Collins, Forensic Pathology Department, Medical University of South Carolina. The toxicology report was negative for the use of alcohol or drugs.