# NTSB LAX86LA215: Boeing A75, N56760, Angels Camp, CA, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1986, 16:24 local (23:24 UTC)
- Place: Angels Camp, CA
- Coordinates: 38.040222, -120.610954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0402&lon=-120.6110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA215

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

NUMEROUS GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLY LOW ALONG THE RIVER WHICH FED INTO THE NEW MELONIES RESERVOIR LAKE AND THEN COLLIDE WITH UNMARKED HIGH TENSION POWER LINES WHICH SPANNED A NARROW PORTION OF THE LAKE. THE PILOT THOUGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT APRX 500 FT ABOVE THE WATER WHEN IT STRUCK THE POWER LINES. THE ELECTRIC COMPANY'S RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE POWER LINES SPANNED 4007 FT ACROSS THE LAKE BETWEEN TWO STEEL TOWERS. AT THE LOWEST DROOP, THE LINES MEASURED 194 FT ABOVE THE RECORDED HIGH WATER MARK OF THE LAKE. ACCORDING TO THE US DEPT OF INTERIOR, THE LAKE LEVEL ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS RECORDED AT 1061.84 FT MSL, AND THE HIGH WATER MARK FOR THE LAKE WAS 1088 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56760](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56760), registered now, S/N 75-017, built 1936 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75
- Registry model: [Boeing A75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75) (registry code 1380108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-an-1) (registry code 51659, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-017
- Airframe hours: 1907
- Engines: LYCOMING R-680 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William B. Field
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1985, 80 hours before
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,150 total, 244 in this make and model, 3,825 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 46 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860510077929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860510077929A), May 10, 1986: Boeing A75, Angels Camp, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft struck a powerline and impacted a river. The pilot was operating at a very low altitude.

## Other investigations on N56760 (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN21LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA202), Apr 26, 2021: Boeing A75 (N56760), Denver, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with variable and gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB LAX00LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA119), Mar 7, 2000: Stearman A-75 (N56760), Imperial, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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