Dec. 25, Orleans, Neb. / Luscombe 8A

At 09:45 CST, a Luscombe 8A crashed after striking utility wires near Orleans. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed. No preexisting anomalies were detected in the airplane or engine. The left wing strut was severed and wire was found wrapped around the aircraft fuselage. In a telephone interview, a friend of the pilot stated that the pilot would occasionally fly over his house when he was in town. He also stated that on the date of the accident he heard the aircraft flying in the vicinity of his house. He said the engine sounded normal until it just stopped.