# NTSB LAX91LA319: Piper J3C-65, N23142, Patterson, CA, July 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1991, 19:45 local (Jul 19, 1991, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Patterson, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450588, -121.230667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4506&lon=-121.2307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA319

## Probable cause

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.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING IN THE VICINITY OF A RIVER AND A POND TRYING TO LOCATE STRAY CATTLE. THEY WERE FLYING AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE PASSENGER THOUGHT HE SPOTTED SOMETHING AT THE NORTH END OF A POND. NOT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT, THEY BEGAN A DESCENT TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT.  DURING DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES.  THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACTED THE WATER IN THE POND.  THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE WIRES OR SUPPORTING POLES.  AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT 3 WIRES HAD BEEN BROKEN.  THE POLES ARE ON LAND AND THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY 1,140 FEET APART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23142](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23142-1993-08-02), registration cancelled 1993-08-02, S/N 2923 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2923
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Mahaffey
- Registered owner: Michael Mahaffey
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CA67, WESTLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 508 total, 50 in this make and model, 443 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910718028999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910718028999A), Jul 18, 1991: Piper J3C65, Patterson, CA, Substantial damage. Looking for cattle, descending for a closer look struck wires. Fell into a pond.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.