Harmon DOLPHIN accident near Paso Robles, CA
On June 17, 1995, a Harmon DOLPHIN (airplane) was involved in an accident near Paso Robles, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 17, 1995
- Place
- Paso Robles, CA
- Aircraft
- Harmon DOLPHIN · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.609°N, 120.760°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03744
NTSB summary
On June 17, 1995, at 0852 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built Harmon Dolphin, N89JH, collided with rolling terrain about one mile west of the Paso Robles Municipal Airport, Paso Robles, California. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated private pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The accident airplane was one of two aircraft that were flying together and planning to land at Paso Robles Municipal Airport. The weather at the airport was reported in part as a 600-foot ceiling with visibility 3 statute miles with fog. The pilot of the second airplane was in communications with the accident airplane. According to the pilot of the second airplane, the pilot of the accident airplane had descended into the top of the fog. The second airplane pilot asked the accident pilot where he was. The accident pilot stated, "I don't know where I am." There were no further radio transmissions heard from the accident pilot. Witnesses reported hearing the experimental aircraft pilot communicate with another pilot on the ground on the common traffic advisory frequency. About 3 minutes before the accident, the experimental aircraft pilot indicated he was unable to find the airport due to the weather, after which no further communications were heard. The investigation revealed the radio transmissions heard on the ground from the experimental aircraft were from the second airplane pilot. Pilot Information The non-instrument rated
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
