What happened
The pilot was operating a private flight for sightseeing purposes when the incident occurred. The aircraft was traveling westbound along the Gila River at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level. While maintaining this low altitude, the aircraft struck powerlines spanning the area. Following the impact, the aircraft descended into the riverbed.
The pilot reported that he had identified the powerlines only at the last moment. He attempted to maneuver the aircraft to pass underneath the cables. However, the lower set of lines was not visible from his perspective. The wheels of the aircraft struck these unseen lower lines, resulting in the loss of controlled flight and subsequent descent.
The investigation
The pilot's statement provided the primary account of the event. He confirmed that the powerlines were not clearly visible until he was very close to them. His attempt to fly under the cables failed because the lower wires were obscured from view.