On July 19, 1991, a Piper J3C-65 (registration N23142) operated by Michael Mahaffey was involved in an aviation accident near Patterson, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While flying at 400 feet to locate stray cattle, a pilot and passenger descended to identify an object and struck electrical transmission wires, leading to an uncontrolled descent into a pond.
Circumstances
A pilot and a passenger were conducting a low-altitude flight in the vicinity of a river and a pond, searching for stray cattle. The aircraft was traveling at approximately 400 feet above ground level when the passenger believed he spotted an object at the north end of the pond. Unable to identify the object from that altitude, they initiated a descent to get a closer look.
Collision
During the descent, the aircraft collided with electrical transmission wires. The pilots reported that they did not see the wires or the supporting poles prior to impact. The collision caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled descent, and it subsequently impacted the water in the pond.
Post-Impact
An FAA safety inspector who examined the site reported that three wires had been broken. The supporting poles, located on land, were approximately 1,140 feet apart.