Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 8000; Flight Crew Type 500
Distraction
No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types
Environment - Non Weather Related
Flying inbound and outbound from Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) we have observed a hazard to navigation. About 2 NM north of BDR; powerline wires cross the Housatonic River at a highway and railroad crossing. There are multiple sets of wires crossing at this location. Within the last few months; Tana Wire Markers have been placed on one set of wires that cross the river. The Tana Wire Markers have been placed on a wire crossing the river that is lower than other wires that cross the river at this location and about 50 feet away. There is substantial helicopter traffic in this area as well as fixed wing aircraft photographing bridge construction work and river dredging work. The hazard to navigation is created when pilots seeing the Tana Wire Markers assume they are on the highest wire and may not see the higher wires crossing the river! This hazard to navigation should be addressed and fixed immediately.
The reporter stated that the UNMARKED wires are suspended directly above the railroad bridge that is located immediately north of Interstate 95 where the railroad bridge and I-95 both cross the Housatonic River. Old; riveted; steel towers at both ends of the railroad bridge support UNMARKED wires directly above the bridge. Reportedly; additional towers; newer in appearance; exist immediately north of the railroad bridge on both sides of the river and support additional wires across the Housatonic. The elevation of the riveted; steel towers at both ends of the railroad bridge exceeds the elevation of the newer towers just north of the railroad bridge by approximately 50 feet or more. The elevation of the UNMARKED wires that are strung between the riveted; steel towers above the railroad bridge exceeds the elevation of the marked wires strung between the newer appearing towers just north of the railroad bridge. The lower sets of wires that are strung north of the railroad bridge on the lower towers are marked with various red; yellow; and orange colored Tana wire markers. The higher sets of wires directly above the railroad bridge that are strung between the taller; riveted; steel towers at both ends of the bridge are UNMARKED and have NO Tana wire markers. Reporter also stated the higher; UNMARKED wires directly above the railroad bridge that are suspended by the riveted; steel towers at both ends of the bridge have probably been there for 30 to 50 years. The railroad bridge has recently been rebuilt and dredging operations in the Housatonic are currently being conducted. The UNMARKED wires present a clear hazard to aviation.
Small aircraft pilot reported multiple sets of power lines near BDR are set with wire markers placed on one of the wires. That wire and its markers are actually at a lower elevation than the other unmarked wires nearby.