Accident Pilot Told Him He Didn’t See The Wires Until It Was Too Late Due To The “Snowy Backdrop”

Location: Batesville, AR Accident Number: CEN25LA075
Date & Time: January 12, 2025, 14:30 Local Registration: N8569V
Aircraft: Bellanca 7GCBC Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 12, 2025, about 1430 central standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8569V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Batesville, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Another airplane was flying behind the accident airplane about a half mile back and about 2,000 feet higher. The pilot of the following airplane had just commented to his passenger that the accident airplane was really low in the valley just before seeing blue sparks and the accident airplane become entangled in a high-tension powerline. The pilot of the second airplane went to the accident site where the accident pilot told him he didn’t see the wires until it was too late due to the “snowy backdrop.”

The pilot was fatally injured during the rescue operations that followed.

The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov