Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REMAIN CLEAR OF POWER LINES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO USE OF DRUGS THAT WERE NOT APPROVED FOR USE WHILE FLYING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 15, 1994, at 0730 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N8392K, collided with some high tension power lines during a cleanup path maneuver near Live Oak, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The aerial application flight originated from a local duster strip.
According to the operator, the pilot was flying east to west and flew under a set of wires and collided with the second set of wires. The power lines are oriented on a north to south direction. This was the pilot's seventh flight over the field. The operator stated the pilot was experienced and was familiar with the area. The operator reported no mechanical problems.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA254