Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was making aerial application runs to two fields that had high tension power lines running between them. The airplane contacted an additional smaller wire that ran from the high tension lines to a substation located one-quarter of a mile away. The smaller wire, which was 73 feet above the ground, was not marked and there were no poles for this wire between high tension lines and the substation. After contacting the wire, the pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing due to the wire strike.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA406 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 10, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Muncie, Indiana
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Wsk Pzl Mielec M-18A
- N-number
- N92640
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.