History of Flight
On June 16, 2019, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-11 airplane, registration N209H, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and descended into Lake Tulloch near Copperopolis, California. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to a friend of the pilot, earlier that morning the pilot had sent a text message indicating he planned to perform a “fly by” over the lake. The friend requested notification when the pilot was 5 to 10 minutes out. When the friend sighted the airplane, it was about 150 ft above the water, and the pilot performed a “wing wag.”
Multiple witnesses on or near Lake Tulloch reported seeing the airplane flying at low altitude southbound over the lake before it struck power lines. The airplane then descended nose-down into the water. A witness captured a series of photographs showing the airplane approaching the power poles.
Local law enforcement located the submerged airplane in approximately 110 ft of water near the power lines and recovered it two days after the accident.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Representatives from the utility company that owned the power lines reported that, 16 days after the accident, a survey crew measured the heights of the lowest and highest power lines at 72.9 ft and 83.9 ft above the water, respectively.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuselage structure had separated from the upper cockpit structure. Both wings remained attached to the upper structure and surrounding fuselage. The empennage was cut off by recovery personnel just forward of the vertical stabilizer. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all flight controls.
The right wing was intact with the aileron still attached. The leading edge was compressed aft across the entire wingspan. The lift struts remained attached. Near midspan, the leading edge of the right lift strut exhibited small striations consistent with a braided wire.
The left wing also had its leading edge compressed aft along the entire span. About 10 ft outboard of the forward spar attachment point, the leading edge displayed striations consistent with a braided wire cable, extending outboard about 12 inches. Additionally, about 16 inches outboard of the landing light cutout, a circular impression and braided wire striations were noted. The wing spar was bent aft in a larger circular impression behind the leading-edge structure.
Examination of the recovered engine and airframe found no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory conducted toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. The tests revealed 0.051 grams per deciliter (gm/dL) of ethanol in femoral blood, 0.046 gm/dL in vitreous fluid, and 0.072 gm/dL in urine.
Ethanol, commonly consumed via alcoholic beverages, acts as a central nervous system depressant and can impair performance even at low levels. Title 14 CFR Section 91.17 prohibits acting as a crewmember within 8 hours after consuming alcohol, while under the influence, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.040 gm/dL or greater.
The pilot’s wife reported that she was with her husband until about 0900 on the day of the accident and that he did not consume any alcohol that morning, as he “never would consume alcohol prior to flying.”