Airplane Appears To Have Struck A Power Line Near Owyhee Dam

The pilot of an Extra EA300LT aerobatic airplane was fatally injured Sunday after the plane apparently hit a power line, shearing off one blade of its prop.

The accident occurred near the Owyhee Dam near Vale, Oregon, according to a report appearing in the Argus Observer. The Malheur County Sheriff's Office was notified of the accident at about 1100 local time, and on arrival on the scene they found the wreckage of the airplane, as well as a downed power line across Owyhee Lake Road. The road was closed for over two hours while the power line was removed.

The pilot was reported to be Edward Wilson Claugus from Incline Village, NV. The 52-year-old pilot reportedly owed several airplanes, and had recently purchased a hangar at Ontario Municipal Airport (KONO). FAA records indicate Claugus was the registered owner of the airplane.

The dam is used for the generation of electricity, and the transmission lines in the area where the accident occurred are reportedly marked by red warning balls.

Witnesses said that Claugus had been flying all morning, performing aerobatics in the EA300. The owner of Frazier Aviation at KONO said Claugus had been an avid back-country pilot.

(Image provided by the Malheur County Sheriff's Office)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov