Douglas C-54G accident near Ramona, CA

On June 21, 1995, a Douglas C-54G (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ramona, CA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

June 21, 1995

Place

Ramona, CA

Aircraft

Douglas C-54G · Airplane

Injuries

3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

33.071°N, 116.830°W

NTSB ID

20001207X03733

NTSB summary

History of Flight On June 21, 1995, at 1108 hours Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas C54G, N4989P, and a Beech B58P, N156Z, collided about 1 mile east of Ramona Airport, Ramona, California. N4989P was registered to and operated by Aero Union Corporation, Chico, California; N156Z was registered to and operated by the USDA Forest Service (herein referred to as Forest Service), Boise, Idaho. Both airplanes were engaged in aerial fire suppression activities; N4989P was operating as Tanker 19, and N156Z was operating as Lead 56. Both airplanes were destroyed by impact forces and the resulting postimpact fire. Two residences, a water tank, and two vehicles were also destroyed. The two flight crewmembers aboard Tanker 19 and the certificated airline transport pilot aboard Lead 56 sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Lead 56 departed Ontario Airport, Ontario, California, at 0800 hours; Tanker 19 departed Hemet-Ryan Airport, Hemet, California, at 1022 hours. Both airplanes were engaged in fire suppression activities over the Butterfield Ranch about 30 miles northeast of Ramona Airport. After departing Ontario Airport, Lead 56 flew over the fire area and conducted fire spotting and led several air tankers to specific drop areas. Lead 56 remained over the area until relieved by another Forest Service airplane, Lead 55, at 1100 hours. Tanker 19 departed Hemet-Ryan Airport on its initial fire suppression activities over the Butterfield Ranch at 0845 hours. Tanker 19 made two fire retardant drops and returned to Hemet-Ryan Airport for additional f

Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE BEECH 58P PILOT, AND THE OPERATOR'S INADEQUATE PROCEDURES CONCERNING 360-DEGREE OVERHEAD APPROACHES.

More accidents in CA

• Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
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• Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
• Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008

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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.