NTSB Factual Report

On April 1, 2003, about 1300 mountain standard time, an Ayres S2R-T34, N30913, struck power line wires during a low altitude aerial application pass near Avondale, Arizona. Pierce Aviation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local aerial application flight departed a private strip near Buckeye, Arizona, about 1230. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The accident occurred at 33 degrees 20 minutes north latitude and 112 degrees 20 minutes west longitude.

In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he reported that the purpose of the flight was to spray the last of seven fields. This particular pass involved flying underneath power lines. There was a backhoe parked near the pilot's intended flight path; as a result, he flew a higher than normal flight path. The airplane impacted the lower power lines, resulting in damage to the propeller, top canopy, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and rudder. The pilot then flew the airplane back to his original departure point.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from power lines. The backhoe's location, which caused the pilot to alter his planned flight path, was a factor.