On May 10, 1986, a Boeing A75 (registration N56760) was involved in an aviation accident near Angels Camp, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Ground witnesses observed an aircraft flying low along a river before colliding with unmarked high-tension power lines spanning a narrow portion of New Melones Reservoir Lake. The pilot believed the aircraft was at approximately 500 feet above the water.
Incident Overview
Numerous ground witnesses reported seeing an aircraft fly at low altitude along a river that feeds into New Melones Reservoir Lake. The aircraft then struck unmarked high-tension power lines that crossed a narrow section of the lake. The pilot stated that the aircraft was at approximately 500 feet above the water at the time of impact.
Power Line Details
According to records from the electric company, the power lines spanned 4,007 feet across the lake between two steel towers. At their lowest droop, the lines measured 194 feet above the recorded high water mark of the lake.
Lake Level Reference
Data from the U.S. Department of Interior indicated that on the day of the accident, the lake level was recorded at 1,061.84 feet MSL. The high water mark for the lake is 1,088 feet MSL.