Cessna 152 accident near Gilroy, CA
On November 17, 1996, a Cessna 152 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Gilroy, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 17, 1996
- Place
- Gilroy, CA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.061°N, 121.549°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07055
NTSB summary
History of the Flight On November 17, 1996, about 1545 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N48737, collided with high terrain about 5 miles east of Gilroy, California. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was rented by the pilot from Inbound Aviation, San Jose, California, for the cross-country personal flight. The flight originated from Columbia, California, about 1500 and was destined for the Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California. Instrument meteorological conditions existed in the hills east of Gilroy at the time. According to the pilot's family, the pilot was aware of the forecast adverse weather that existed along his route of flight. The pilot had made contingency plans for ground transportation in case he landed at another airport. The family reported the pilot overdue when he failed to telephone them. At 1827, the local wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was notified of an emergency locator transmitter beacon emanating from the area east of Gilroy. The CAP initiated a search but was hampered by low clouds, rain, and darkness. The airplane was located November 18, 1996, at 0820 after the weather had cleared. Pilot Information The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate, which was issued on December 29, 1977, with airplane ratings for single engine land and instruments. The most recent third-class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on November 21, 1994, and contained the limitation that correcting lenses be available for near vision while exercising the privileg
Probable cause
flight by the pilot into into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.
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Browse: California · Cessna 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.
