On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:40:14 -0400, "Darkwing"
theducksmail"AT"yahoo.com wrote in
:


Sounds like an unfortunate accident caused by just flying to damn low.

I wonder if those power lines are charted or NOTAMed.

Here's a chart centered on Alexander Field South Wood County (ISW):
http://skyvector.com/perl/code?id=KISW&scale=1

Here's a satellite image:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...91231&t=h&z=13

Current NOTAMs:
https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/geo/ica...=KISW&radius=2

I don't find any mention of power lines across the river. How is a
pilot to know they are there?

Perhaps there is some culpability on the part of the owner of the
presumably unmarked power lines that cross the river:

Here's the Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K Obstruction Marking and
Lighting:
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/b993dcdfc37fcdc486257251005c4e21/$FILE/AC70_7460_1K.pdf
a. Spherical Markers. Spherical markers are used
to identify overhead wires. Markers may be of
another shape, i.e., cylindrical, provided the projected
area of such markers will not be less than that
presented by a spherical marker.

1. Size and Color.
The diameter of the markers used on extensive
catenary wires across canyons, lakes, rivers, etc.,
should be not less than 36 inches (91cm). Smaller
20-inch (51cm) spheres are permitted on less
extensive power lines or on power lines below 50 feet
(15m) above the ground and within 1,500 feet (458m)
of an airport runway end. Each marker should be a
solid color such as aviation orange, white, or yellow.

2. Installations.
(a) Spacing. Markers should be spaced
equally along the wire at intervals of approximately
200 feet (61m) or a fraction thereof. Intervals
between markers should be less in critical areas near
runway ends (i.e., 30 to 50 feet (10m to 15m)). They
should be displayed on the highest wire or by another
means at the same height as the highest wire. Where
there is more than one wire at the highest point, the
markers may be installed alternately along each wire
if the distance between adjacent markers meets the
spacing standard. This method allows the weight and
wind loading factors to be distributed.

(b) Pattern. An alternating color scheme
provides the most conspicuity against...


Unfortunately if you screw around it can bite you, whether you're flying an
airplane or driving a car.


Operating an aircraft without adequate preflight planning is ALWAYS a
bad idea. In this case, it's not clear if there was adequate
information available to the pilot about the hazard of wires strung
across the river.