The crash happened on December 17, 2012, when pilot Mike Oulton crashed into the lines opposite the Flame Lilly Adventures tourist park.
The final ATSB report was released last Thursday, and although the pilot was described as experienced, he didn't have a low-level flying license.
Mr Oulton, 59, was flying a Cessna 182A when he approached a parachute drop zone where "a number of people" were gathered for a Christmas function.
One witness expressed concerns about the safety of the aircraft due to its low level.
"The aircraft flew almost overhead the position of the witness at the drop zone and impacted two powerlines, which were at a height of about 9m," the report read.
With the powerlines still in tow, the plane continued to climb before turning right and disappearing behind trees.
A second witness, who was 1km north of the Christmas function, described the movements of the aircraft following the power-line impact.
They reported the aircraft attempted to climb when the right wing strut failed, immediately followed by both wings folding upwards, before one wing separated from the aircraft.
"The aircraft then nosedived behind trees," the report read.
"The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and a post-impact, fuel-fed fire consumed most of the wreckage."
Mr Oulton had flown a total of more than 2000 hours before the crash and family members reported him as being in a good mood and fit and well on the morning of the crash.
"The aircraft struck electrical power-lines while operating below the minimum permitted height of 500ft above ground level," the report concluded.
"The investigation could not identify any operational reason for the pilot to be operating the aircraft below the minimum permitted height."
Report findings
A Cessna 182A crashed in Burrum Heads on December 17, 2012;
There was no reason for the pilot to be flying so low;
The pilot crashed into powerlines 9m high;
A group of people at a Christmas function witnessed the crash;
It was a clear sky with 15 knot winds;
The pilot was killed in the crash;
Described as a safe and experienced pilot;
Had more than 2000 flying hours.
Source: http://www.gympietimes.com.au
http://www.atsb.gov.au
Wirestrike involving Cessna 182A, VH-SGB, Burrum River, Queensland on 17 December 2012
Investigation number: AO-2012-170
Investigation status: Completed
What happened
On 17 December 2012, a Cessna 182A aircraft registered VH-SGB, impacted with electrical powerlines that ran alongside a parachute drop zone at Burrum River, Queensland. The pilot was planning to attend a Christmas function at the drop zone and was flying to an airstrip located about 1.5 km to the north. After contacting the powerlines, the aircraft was seen to climb and continue to fly for approximately 500 m before the right wing separated from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and the pilot was fatally injured.
What the ATSB found
The powerlines that the aircraft impacted were at a height of approximately 9 m (30 ft) above ground level (AGL) and ran perpendicular to the aircraft’s flight path. The relevant cable marking standards did not require the powerlines to be marked. Weather conditions were fine, and there was no emergency broadcast from the pilot prior to the impact with the powerlines. No pre-existing defects with the aircraft could be identified.
No operational reason for the pilot to fly at a height below 500 ft AGL could be identified by the investigation.
Safety message
A minimum height of 500 ft AGL for flight over non-populated areas is promulgated for very long standing safety reasons. Pilots who choose to fly below this height without an operational reason to do so are exposing themselves, and any passengers that may be on board, to an increased risk of striking powerlines, many of which are difficult to see from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight. The circumstances of this accident highlight that risk.
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