Pilot Debrief

Beech 35 near Three Rivers, CA — 2020-09-04

Final reportWPR20LA295
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Date
2020-09-04
Location
Three Rivers, CA, USA
Aircraft
Beech 35
Registration
N818S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger departed on a visual flight rules cross-country flight into an area of reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke. An alert notice was issued when the airplane did not arrive at the destination, and the wreckage was located the following day in mountainous terrain at an elevation about 9,500 ft mean sea level. No anomalies were noted with the airplane during post-accident examination. Impact signatures and wreckage dispersion were consistent with the pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have turned back before flying into rising terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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