Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 100
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I was flying home from work low level over pasture and failed to see power lines. I did not see the lines until I hit them. There was minor damage to the aircraft; damage to the power lines and a fire was started from the downed lines. I have no injuries of any kind. I fly this route almost daily and I think that because it was so familiar I became complacent in my awareness of power lines when flying low. It was a beautiful clear day and I was distracted by the scenery. In the future maintaining a higher altitude and being more alert of obstacles could eliminate the risk of this happening again.
Small aircraft pilot reported loss of situational awareness while flying low to the ground that resulted in an impact with power lines.