LAX94LA092

After departing the airport, the pilot elected to fly low between two mountain ranges. While flying through the canyon the airplane struck powerlines about 180 ft AGL. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane, and returned and landed at the departure airport without further incident.

On January 3, 1994, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech 76, N8013Y, collided with wires after departing runway 22 about 7 miles south of Catalina Airport (AVX), Avalon, California. The pilot declared an emergency and returned to AVX and landed without further incident. The pilot was beginning a visual flight rules personal flight to Torrance, California. The airplane, operated by Rolling Hills Aviation, Torrance, California, sustained substantial damage. A small fire erupted from the falling electrical wires, but was quickly extinguished by fire-fighting personnel. The certificated commercial pilot and his two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, but he did not make any statement regarding the facts, conditions, and circumstances relating to the accident.

Mr. Edward Mays, aviation safety inspector (airworthiness), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Long Beach [California] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on-scene investigation. Inspector Mays reported that shortly after the accident airplane departed the airport the pilot declared an emergency. The airplane landed on runway 22 with substantial damage.

Inspector Mays inspection of the airplane revealed major damage from "...wire strikes...." "The left wing tip was missing and the outer leading edge was torn open and the left aileron was damaged. The right wing was missing a 2 x 2.5 foot portion of the wing outboard of the fuel tank. The right aileron was damaged. There was evidence of wire damage across the aircraft wings, cowling, propellers, and lower antenna. The center portion of the wind screen was broken approximately 2 x 1.5 feet."

Inspector Mays reported that Mr. Cecil Andrews, Southern California Edison Company, reported that the wires spanned 1,000 feet from ridge to ridge on 40 foot poles. The airplane contacted the wires about 180 feet above the ground.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department submitted their investigation report to the Safety Board. The investigating deputy reported that the pilot said he did not have his pilot or medical certificate with him; the certificates were in his automobile. He also said that he had flown to AVX for lunch with his two cousins.

When questioned by the deputy concerning the events of the accident, the pilot said that after departing runway he turned to the south and "...flew low between the saddle of Mt. Orizaba and Mt. Banning...." He then turned right and angled toward Sweetwater Canyon at an altitude below the ridge line toward the ocean. While flying low through the canyon the pilot heard a "...very loud noise and realized the top half of the windshield had broke and been blown into the cockpit..."

The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and returned to the airport.