Plane that crashed into Columbia River, killing 2, hit power line

The small airplane that crashed last month into the Columbia River, killing both people aboard, hit a power line while trying to land on the water, according to federal investigators.

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board said the plane pitched down about one second before it hit the power line on June 24. A full report is yet to be released and information could change.

The plane had flown westward over the Ed Hendler Bridge from and continued over the river on a westerly heading for about 9 seconds, then abruptly pitched nose down for 1 second before it struck a high tension transmission line" and "descended vertically into the Columbia River and came to rest in the river inverted, about 100-200 ft from the river’s eastern shoreline, according to the report.

The plane, a Cessna 195 with floats, departed its normal base of operations near Napa, Calif., that morning and was ultimately headed for the Tanglefoot Seaplane Base on Cavanaugh Bay, Idaho, according to the report.

Before the date of the crash, the pilot had inquired about purchasing fuel at the marina of the Port of Kennewick, which is located on Clover Island on the river, a few hundred feet from the bridge. After the crash, the Benton County sheriff's office advised people to keep clear of the marina entrance while rescue crews worked.

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