Piper PA-31-350 accident near Frazier Park, CA
On March 4, 1994, a Piper PA-31-350 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Frazier Park, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 4, 1994
- Place
- Frazier Park, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31-350 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.801°N, 119.010°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00915
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 3, 1994, at 2346 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-31- 350, N78DE, operated by Ameriflight, Inc., as flight 107, cruised into rising mountainous terrain approximately 9 nautical miles west of Frazier Park, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the dark nighttime flight. A company flight plan was filed for the on-demand air taxi flight. The airplane was destroyed and the airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The nonstop all cargo bank check flight to Oakland, California, had originated from the Burbank Municipal Airport, Burbank, California, at 2327. A review of recorded communications between the accident airplane and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities, recorded radar data, and personnel statements, indicated that the accident pilot requested and received a special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance for departure. An instrument flight plan had previously been filed, but not activated. The pilot taxied to runway 08, and was instructed to turn left at the Hansen Dam (a visual check point). The pilot was cleared for takeoff and was directed to report reaching VFR flight conditions. A few minutes later, the pilot reported reaching VFR conditions. The pilot was issued a discrete squawk code and, in accordance with air traffic instructions, he changed communication frequencies to Burbank Departure Control and then to Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (LAX ARTCC). While cruising on an approximate magnetic course of 300 degrees, at 2335:28, the pilot transmitted to LAX ARTCC "...checking in eight t
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to select a cruise altitude which would ensure adequate terrain clearance. Contributing factors related to the dark, nighttime condition and to the pilot's lack of attentiveness.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
