Piper PA-28-140 accident near Moreno Valley, CA
On March 22, 1996, a Piper PA-28-140 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Moreno Valley, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 22, 1996
- Place
- Moreno Valley, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.920°N, 117.241°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05419
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 22, 1996, about 1241 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper, PA-28-140, N17D, en route to Deer Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, collided with mountainous terrain near Moreno Valley, California. The aircraft was destroyed during the impact sequence and ground fire. The certificated foreign commercial pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The privately owned aircraft was being operated as a personal flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Chino, California, at 1221. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing changes in the pitch and volume of the engine while watching the aircraft as it made several steep 360-degree turns, as well as several climbs and descents. During this time, they reported seeing the aircraft flying both in and out of the clouds. The aircraft was last observed on an easterly heading in the direction of the accident site. The aircraft wings rocked from side to side just before reentering the clouds. A few seconds later, the witnesses reported hearing what they interpreted as the sound of the aircraft striking terrain. After the sounds identified as an impact, no further engine sounds were reported. The base of the cloud layer obscured the accident site and the top of the mountain. (Witness statements are appended to this report.) PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot was reported to be a former Swiss Air Force pilot who held a Swiss commercial license (No. 2169) with an airplane single engine land rating. He also held a
Probable cause
VFR flight by the noninstrument-rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The terrain and adverse weather conditions were related factors.
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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.
