The Pitts S2C pilot reported that, while performing a reconnaissance flight to determine the viability of landing the biplane on the infield section of a racing track in Hampton, Georgia, for an upcoming airshow, he made several passes and saw no power wires.
He added that, during an approach to the proposed landing area, the plane hit a power wire.
The pilot aborted the approach, performed a quick controllability check, and decided to land at a nearby airport.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left ailerons.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires during approach.
NTSB Identification: GAA19CA021
This October 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
He’s an airshow pilot, right? He should have flown under the wires…
It would seem that a reconnaissance at ground level might have been a better way to determine what potential obstacles there were in the area. Performing fly-bys at relatively high speeds is not really the best way to spot such hard to see objects as power wires.