Incident Description
During a cruise flight above a river, the pilot stated that the airplane "apparently struck an unseen object and departed controlled flight." According to the pilot, the object was likely an unmarked cable that ran across the river. He had noticed similar cables on previous flights, which were usually marked with orange balls for visibility. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical deficiencies that may have led to the accident.
Witness Account
A witness observed the aircraft pitch up abruptly, then execute a hard roll to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground "straight up and down" and caught fire. The witness's description suggests a sudden loss of control following the initial pitching motion.
Other Findings
An FAA Inspector reported that telephone wires were present across the river, with heights ranging from 50 to 150 feet. These wires were not marked with the orange balls the pilot had expected. The presence of unmarked cables at that location appears consistent with the pilot's account of the striking object.
Pilot Statement
The pilot explicitly stated that no mechanical deficiencies contributed to the accident. He attributed the loss of control solely to the collision with the unseen object. The pilot's previous experience with marked cables in the area underscored his expectation that such obstacles would be visible.
Conclusion
The incident involved a collision with an unmarked cable or similar object while in cruise flight, resulting in loss of control and a subsequent fire upon impact. No further details regarding the aircraft's occupants or the extent of damage beyond fire were provided in the source material.