Hit Power Lines At Night

The pilot of a Cessna 182D (file photo of type, below) that went down after striking power lines the night of February 23 was talking on a cell phone when the accident occurred, according to the NTSB Preliminary Report released Thursday.

Benjamin R. Hickin, 30, was talking with a friend on his cell phone while maneuvering approximately two miles from Eagle's Nest Airport (W13) in Waynesboro, VA when "the airplane struck power lines, and subsequently impacted the ground," the report states.

Hickin's friend, co-owner of the accident aircraft, was driving a semi truck on I-81 at the time. Hickin was attempting to fly within sight of the semi, according to Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Jeff Pearson.

The Waynesboro News-Virginian says a witness told police the plane circled at treetop level three times before going down.

Hickin, a 4,000-hour pilot, was the only person onboard the Cessna. He had taken off from Eagles Nest Airport, and was apparently on his way back to the airport when the accident occurred.

The NTSB has not determined a definite cause or contributing factors in the accident. FAA investigators found no evidence of any pre-impact malfunctions.

The FAA prohibits use of a cellular phone only during IFR flight. Skies were clear at the time of accident, and Hickin was flying VFR.

FMI: Read The NTSB Preliminary Report