Beech C35 accident near Lee Vining, CA

On February 19, 1996, a Beech C35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Lee Vining, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

February 19, 1996

Place

Lee Vining, CA

Aircraft

Beech C35 · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

37.991°N, 119.110°W

NTSB ID

20001208X05275

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 19, 1996, at 1315 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech C35, N2PA, collided with mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lee Vining, California, following a loss of engine power. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Oakland, California. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident site. The pilot filed and received an IFR clearance while in flight. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence and the private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. During the investigation, recorded radar data and all known voice air-to-ground communications were obtained from the involved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities for detailed review. The radar data was provided in two formats consisting of the National Track Analysis Program (NTAP) and Data Analysis Reduction Tool (DART). The DART data was requested in both a Log Sort and Track Sort version. All recorded air-ground communications between the aircraft and the ground stations were examined in both a written transcript version, and by listening to the certified re-recordings of the actual tapes. Information discussed in the pertinent portions of this narrative report were derived from the above sources. The radar data and communications transcripts are appended to this report. The re-recordings of the communications tapes are included in the docket for this accident. Initial information provided to the Safety Board led investigators to believe th

Probable cause

Fuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to adequate monitor the aircraft's fuel system and select a tank containing fuel in a timely manner. The pilot's failure to monitor the fuel system was due to the effects of hypoxia. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, his inadequate preflight planning/in-flight decisions, and his lack of familiarity wi

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 · Beech aircraft

See it on the map

Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.