Homer Electric Association (HEA) deenergized circuit 1226 in Sterling, causing an outage for approximately 1,300 members on Thursday May 11th due to a plane crash on utility wires.
According to HEA, a plane hit utility wires in Sterling. The plane was not entangled in HEA wires.
Alaska State Troopers responded to the area and located a Cub Crafters Carbon Cub EX3 with significant damage. The adult male pilot, and sole occupant, was uninjured. The National Transportations Safety Board will determine the cause of the crash.
HEA crews were onsite and established personal clearances so repairs could be conducted. Once personal clearances were established HEA crews were able to restore power to most of the circuit while they conducted repairs.
At around 7:15 p.m. Thursday power was restored for all but 346 members. These members remained without power while crews conducted repairs including repairing a downed wire and replacing broken insulators.
By 8:30 p.m. power was restored to all members.
