Zenith Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 6500; Flight Crew Type 3900
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related
Three STOL aircraft were dispatched to participate in relief operations. Aircraft arrived at the location of the relief operation to pick up loads and determine destination. The relief operation organization; seeking to utilize the capabilities of the STOL aircraft; sought locations needing relief supplies that could not access open airports. The organizers asked the pilots if they could land on a drag racing strip. They indicated that the owner of the strip had given permission to use the location for an airstrip and that there were no obstructions or barriers on the raceway. After consulting satellite photos of the raceway; it was decided to send one airplane with two pilots and a light cargo load to survey the airstrip and determine if it was usable.The pilots arrived over the strip and completed two overhead circuits of 1;000 and 500 feet to observe the site. The pilots noted a cellphone tower to the east of the raceway and a wire crossing the southwest end of the drag strip. Trees were noted on the northeast of the strip. They also noted several light poles to the left and right side of the drag strip. The next step of the flight survey was to conduct a low pass at 40-50 feet followed by a low drag at 10 feet or less. The Pilot Flying approached the strip in an exploratory flight configuration of 20 degrees flaps and 65 knots. After clearing the trees and crossing the end of the strip and after flying down the strip about 200 feet the Pilot Not Flying called out 'wires'. The Pilot Flying immediately added power and initiated a climb. The Pilot Flying noted the wire out of the lower right side of the aircraft and both pilots felt a slight bump on the aircraft. The Pilot Flying completed a climb to about 200 feet and circled the drag strip one more time. Both pilots could not see the wire when looking down the strip but could see it when abeam.A light wire stretched from one light pole; across the strip to another pole. The Pilot Flying diverted and landed. Both pilots are also A&P mechanics and inspected the aircraft for damage. There was no indication that the aircraft structure itself contacted the wire. It is assumed that the bump felt was the bottom; or lower part of one or both main tires contacting the wire in a brushing pass. The use of multi crew in a high risk environment; prior training in aerial airstrip survey; trust between the crew members and the Pilot Flying's immediate response to the call of wires prevented this from becoming an accident.
A pilot involved in a a relief operation reported one or both wheels contacted a wire while conducting a fly-by of a potential landing area.