Amateur-built Vans RV-6 accident near Rio Verde, Arizona, November 2, 2006

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The airplane collided with power lines while flying at low altitude over a river and descended into the water below. Witnesses observed the airplane flying low over a prolonged period in the area of a dam and along the river below the dam. One witness noted that the airplane appeared to be lower than the surrounding hills. Power lines are situated just south of the dam and proceed along the south-side of the river. The power lines cross the river to its north side at a point where the river makes a "U" shaped 180-degree turn, heading north momentarily and then reversing course to the south. The power lines cross the river in the southward leg of the "U" shape. The terrain in the middle of the "U" shape is about 150 feet higher than the river, which would likely block the view of the south flowing leg of the river, and perhaps the power line, from a pilot following the river at low altitude. The power line's wires were found frayed and damaged in the stretch that crossed the river. The airplane came to rest in the river near the power line crossing. Examination of the wreckage found that the right wing of the airplane contacted and was severed by the power line. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found during the examination of airframe and engine.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.