WPR19FA246

The pilot and two passengers departed on a multi-leg cross-country flight. Video from a camera affixed to the airplane’s right wing indicated that, as the airplane approached a ranch near the destination airport, the pilot overflew a set of power distribution lines, then descended to a lower altitude to overfly the ranch. The airplane impacted a second set of power lines, severing the left wing, left aileron, and the upper sections of the rudder and vertical stabilizer, then descended to the ground. Multiple witnesses reported hearing the airplane approaching the ranch, then seeing the airplane impact the power distribution lines. One witness stated that the pilot often overflew the ranch to announce his arrival but that he had never seen him fly that low. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in impact with power lines and, subsequently, terrain.

On August 29, 2019, about 1600 mountain daylight time, a Beech BE-33 airplane, N9529Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. Ignatius, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and passengers departed on a multi-leg cross-country flight with a destination of St. Ignatius Airport (52S), St. Ignatius, Montana. As the flight was nearing its destination, multiple witnesses located on a ranch, reported that they observed the airplane approaching, then saw sparks and a wing come off the airplane as it passed through a set of power distribution lines. One witness stated that the pilot’s approach to the area was “as usual,” as he often flew over the ranch to notify those there that he would be landing at the airport; but he had “never seen him that low.” The pilot’s wife stated that he had flown to the destination airport numerous times and that he was going there to help with an electrical problem. A GoPro video camera was attached to the top of the right wing near the wing root. The camera contained multiple short videos of the first and second leg of the flight. One video recorded the airplane as it overflew a set of power distribution lines and continued to descend as it approached the ranch from the west. After arriving over the ranch, the airplane flew past a second set of power distribution lines that appeared to be at the same altitude as the airplane. After passing the power distribution lines, the video camera instantly pointed up, and the airplane appeared to roll left as it descended to the ground. The airplane impacted and severed one of three powerlines strung between towers. Another wire was still intact and had a section of airplane sheet metal attached. At their lowest point, the wires were about 53 ft above ground level. The airplane came to rest inverted in a flat hay field. The entire left wing separated from the fuselage in two sections. The inboard section of the wing was found near the main wreckage. The outboard 4-foot section, along with portions of the vertical stabilizer and rudder and were found about 100 ft from the powerlines. The separated portion of the wing displayed striations consistent with the size and diameter of the power transmission lines found nearby. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.