N82585

On June 23, 1998, at 1209 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-375, N82585, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain, after a loss of control resulting from an in flight collision with a power line, near Stephen, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was being operated by Jack's Aerial Spray Service, Drayton, North Dakota. The flight originated at the Drayton Municipal Airport, near Drayton, North Dakota at 1125.

According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot stated that he was finishing his last spray run when he struck an unmarked power line passing between a farmyard and a tree line near the Red River. Post accident investigation showed that the aircraft's right wing impacted the upper wire of the two wire system. No engine or aircraft anomalies were found with the aircraft.