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NTSB Report
July 19, 1991 · Piper J3C-65 · N23142
Patterson, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Patterson, CA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N23142
Operator
Michael Mahaffey
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA319
THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING IN THE VICINITY OF A RIVER AND A POND TRYING TO LOCATE STRAY CATTLE. THEY WERE FLYING AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE PASSENGER THOUGHT HE SPOTTED SOMETHING AT THE NORTH END OF A POND. NOT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT, THEY BEGAN A DESCENT TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT. DURING DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACTED THE WATER IN THE POND. THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE WIRES OR SUPPORTING POLES. AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT 3 WIRES HAD BEEN BROKEN. THE POLES ARE ON LAND AND THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY 1,140 FEET APART.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER VISUAL LOOKOUT IN A DESCENT AT LOW ALTITUDE, RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH WIRES AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING IN THE VICINITY OF A RIVER AND A POND TRYING TO LOCATE STRAY CATTLE. THEY WERE FLYING AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE PASSENGER THOUGHT HE SPOTTED SOMETHING AT THE NORTH END OF A POND. NOT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT, THEY BEGAN A DESCENT TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT. DURING DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACTED THE WATER IN THE POND. THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE WIRES OR SUPPORTING POLES. AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT 3 WIRES HAD BEEN BROKEN. THE POLES ARE ON LAND AND THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY 1,140 FEET APART.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN23142
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael Mahaffey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT