Flight Description
An aircraft was conducting a patrol flight along the route of a buried telephone cable. During normal operations, the aircraft would fly at 200 to 300 feet above ground level (AGL) along the cable's path. When construction activity was sighted, the pilot would first record the sighting on a portable tape recorder and then contact the telephone company using a radio/telephone. The control head for the radio/telephone was installed in the location of the removed right, rear seat.
Events Prior to Crash
Witnesses observed the aircraft circle twice in the vicinity of the accident site before the crash. They reported that there were low clouds with haze, but visibility was good below the clouds. No further details about the pilot's actions during the circles are available.
Impact and Evidence
The aircraft impacted the ground in a shallow left bank with a slightly nose-low attitude. A tape recorder recovered from the wreckage contained a message describing construction activity near the cable in an area approximately one mile west of the accident site. Telephone company personnel stated that they did not receive a report from the pilot.