Cessna 180 | N2908C

The DTSB determines the probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the very experienced crop duster accident pilot did maneuver his aircraft at a very low altitude during a period of reduced daylight, while flying down the Platte river for the purpose of providing a thrilling scenic flight. He had made a phone call in advance of the accident flight to inform those individuals positioned along the river to watch for him. The accident pilot struck power lines perpendicular to flight path which were positioned across the river, the tail of the aircraft was separated from the aircraft in flight.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft avoid low level flight in deteriorating visibility conditions. The DTSB also recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become increasingly aware of powerlines that nearly always run perpendicular to the path of streams and rivers.