Pilot Dies When Plane Crashes in Riverbed

A 63-year-old pilot was killed Saturday after his ultralight aircraft struck power lines 150 feet above the Santa Clara River and then plunged into the east bank south of Santa Paula, sheriff’s officials said.

Farm laborers who saw the plane plummet pulled the body, which was strapped in the pilot’s seat and immersed in water, from the wreckage at about 5 p.m. The crash occurred about two miles from the Santa Paula Airport.

The identity of the pilot has not yet been released.

Officials said the man was flying too low when he struck the 16,000-volt power lines, which stretched across the river from Todd Lane. Two lines were completely snapped. A third was found lying near the plane, which landed upside-down and was partially immersed in the river.

There were no signs of a fire on the ground, officials said.

Witnesses told investigators that they heard an explosion and saw flames jump from the plane when it struck the wires.

It was unclear Saturday whether the man was electrocuted or died from the impact of the crash, officials said.

About a dozen homes east of the river temporarily lost power after the crash, according to a Southern California Edison spokesman.

Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Peterson said it is not uncommon for ultralight planes to fly at low altitudes over the riverbed.

“Every year there seems to be at least one accident,” he said.

Farm workers in the area also said low-flying planes are a common sight.

“Those little planes, they do it all the time,” said Jesus Gonzales. “I think something should be done to [mark] the wires.”