N26923

On March 16, 1996, at 1500 central standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N26923, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged when it collided with a power line during a go-around near Salado, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident.

The Pilot/Operator report revealed the following information. The flight departed from the 1,400 foot grass field to the north and subsequently repositioned for a landing to the south. During the southbound approach, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around attempt, "the landing gear encountered a power line at the departure end" of the grass field. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane in a field. Structural damage occurred to the right wing, propeller, and landing gear.

A witness reported in the enclosed Witness Statement that the airplane departed to the north, then "turned around and flew low over [the] hayfield and [the pilot's] friends." The airplane subsequently "clipped a wire and spun into the field across the street from the hayfield."