Aircraft Strikes Powerlines During River Cruise (N2650U)

Incident Overview and Passenger Distraction During the flight, the pilots reported that a passenger observed a coyote on the riverbank, causing all occupants to turn and look away from the forward view. When the pilot-in-command, seated in the left seat, refocused on the flight path, he identified unmarked powerlines crossing the river. He immediately warned the flying pilot, a non-current private pilot in the right front seat, of the impending hazard. The right-seat pilot pulled back on the control yoke, but the left-seat pilot assessed that this maneuver would direct the aircraft into the wires. He then pushed the yoke forward to avoid a direct collision, though the aircraft still struck the powerlines. The impact resulted in the loss of one-third of the vertical tail and one-half of the rudder. Despite the damage, the pilots maintained control of the aircraft. After climbing and conducting a stability check and a simulated landing, they returned to the departure airport and landed without further incident. The terrain near the powerline crossing is approximately 200 feet above the elevation of an airport located on the riverbank 2.5 miles upstream.