Electric and telecommunications wires litter the landscape of Australia wherever there is human settlement. They are inherently difficult to see and are a major cause of aircraft crashes and aircrew deaths. They are the ultimate test of flight planning and human performance for those who have to fly at low level for a living.
Regional flying has hazards and one is almost invisible to the naked eye – wires.
Wire strikes can affect both fixed wing and rotorcraft, with several notable accidents occurring over the past few years. They often occur when a pilot attempts a low-level flying manoeuvre and does not see – or is unaware of – an electrical wire running through the area.
If contact is made with a wire, it can snap off its posts and become entangled in the propeller or rotor of the aircraft. If an aircraft’s wing hits a wire, the pilot will likely lose control, resulting in a rapid decent and crash. If these outcomes aren’t bad enough, a wire strike can result in electrical shock, possibly leading to the death of those on board.
Read fully on FlightSafetyAustralia.com
