The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has cited unnecessary low flying as a contributing factor in the fatal crash of a Cessna 182 in December 2012.
The aircraft, VH-SGB, was approaching an airstrip near Burrum River in Queensland when it struck a powerline and crashed. The pilot was the only person in the aircraft.
According to the ATSB report, the pilot was flying to the airstrip to attend a Christmas party at a nearby parachute drop zone, and was flying low near the drop zone when it struck a powerline that was only 30 feet above the ground.
"The aircraft flew almost overhead the position of [a] witness at the drop zone and impacted two powerlines, which were at a height of about 9 m (30 ft) above ground level (AGL) and ran in an east-west direction," the report states.
"The aircraft was seen to climb, still trailing the powerlines. It then turned slightly to the right before it disappeared from sight behind trees. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and a post-impact fuel-fed fire consumed most of the wreckage."
During the investigation, the ATSB found GPS data that indicated the pilot had done a low pass by the drop zone before, and that he was familiar with the location, and most probably the powerline.
"In this occurrence, the pilot had made parachute descents into the drop zone so it was probable that he was aware of the presence and location of the powerlines and the hazard posed to a parachutist landing at the drop zone.
"No operational reason could be identified for the pilot to fly at a height less than 500 ft above ground level."
The full investigation report can be downloaded from the ATSB website.