Amateur-built Kitfox IV N5KW accident near Sprague, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines during the landing approach resulting in a collision.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice taxiing in his recently purchased airplane. While taxiing, the airplane unintentionally became airborne and the pilot decided that in an effort to not collide with an electric fence ahead, he would need to add full power and fly the airplane in a traffic pattern to come back and land. Despite being aware of a powerline in the area, the pilot collided with it during his third landing attempt. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA279 for the full record.