Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation

Partenavia P.68

After approximately 1.5 hours of pipeline patrol flight at a planned altitude of 500 feet agl the aircraft flew into the flat terrain in a landing attitude. The aircraft went through a wire fence, heavy brush and small trees before coming to rest 437 feet from initial ground contact with all 3 gear collapsed. A physical examination and the pilot's statement indicate that the pilot was operating under an extreme amount of stress which may have resulted in chronic fatigue at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was accustomed to a very heavy flight schedule. The chief pilot attempted to assign an additional pilot but company budget constraints prevented such an assignment.