Whether you’re piloting a small plane, a helicopter, a balloon or a hang glider, the dangers from overhead power lines are very real and can be fatal. Don’t ignore them.
Never assume that electrical equipment is dead, even if the wires have fallen or broken. Remember that power can be switched back on at any time, without warning, and that touching electricity wires and objects or people in contact with them can be fatal, even at the lowest voltages. Also:
- electricity can jump gaps
- trees, string, ropes, suspension lines and water can conduct electricity
- rubber boots won’t protect you
- most overhead electricity wires are not insulated
- don't assume that wires on wooden poles are telephone wires
- good eyesight improves the chances of spotting lines; do you need an eye test?
Before you take off
Make sure you know where overhead lines near to your departure airfield are. The CAA 1:250,000 map shows the major transmission lines, because of their height, but doesn’t show other overhead lines (notably those on wood poles, which are more difficult to see from the air). You can also check in airstrip guides such as Pooleys for notes about overhead lines. Try and find out as much as possible about a new destination airstrip too: consider driving there first to inspect it personally.
If you’re practising low flying, keep a special lookout for overhead lines. Regularly refer to your CAA 1:250,000 map for lines near you.
Final approach and landing
Remember that overhead lines can be very difficult to see from the air. Look for a row of supporting poles or pylons. Poles could be hidden behind trees and a 'tee off' line may come away at right angles across your intended landing field. If you’re unlucky enough to have engine failure, make sure you look out for overhead lines on your final approach and within your chosen field.
For gliding
Occasionally in winch/auto tow launches, the launching cable can touch overhead power lines, either from drifting across the lines after release or being dropped by the glider after breaking. To try to avoid this:
- display a local map with electricity lines on your notice board, site guide or in your briefing room
- include the emergency telephone number of your local electricity company
- don’t rig or de-rig within 10 metres of an overhead line
- position the winch and launch point to minimise launch cable drift
- use an appropriately sized cable drogue parachute to minimise drift
- consider earthing the winch
- carefully select tug aircraft landing approaches to avoid towlines catching a power line
If a cable does fall across a line, evacuate everyone in the vicinity, inform your electricity company urgently, giving a precise location. Never attempt to go near or recover the cable.
What to do in an emergency
If an overhead line touches any part of your aircraft while you’re inside:
- always assume the lines are live, even if they’re not sparking
- remember wires may re-energise at any time without warning (this can happen automatically after a few seconds or remotely after several hours if the electricity company isn’t aware of the situation)
- remember that if a wire’s on the ground you don’t have to touch it to be killed: current may travel a long way through the ground and even further if the wire falls on a fence or other metallic objects
- always keep a mobile phone with you to contact emergency services – they know how to undertake rescues near to damaged overhead lines
- stay inside your aircraft until emergency services arrive
- if the aircraft’s suspended from, or tangled in wires, warn others to stay well clear
If this isn’t possible or the aircraft catches fire:
- jump well clear – don’t climb down
- never touch the aircraft once you’re on the ground
- run well clear with leaping strides
- stay clear
Call the network operator: 0800 587 3243†
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