Cessna Aircraft Company T188C/A1, VH-JRL

The pilot was conducting the first spray run for the day when
the aircraft collided with three high tension power lines. One wire
was severed by the windscreen mounted wire cutter, but the two
remaining wires ran over the cockpit and severed the top of the
vertical stabiliser. These actions slowed the aircraft
significantly, causing it to descend into the crop. The pilot was
fatally injured.

It was reported that the pilot did not conduct an examination of
the area to be sprayed prior to commencing the first spray run.

The ATSB did not conduct an on-site investigation into this
accident.