Farhat RV6A accident near Julian, CA
On December 22, 1996, a Farhat RV6A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Julian, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 22, 1996
- Place
- Julian, CA
- Aircraft
- Farhat RV6A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.020°N, 116.491°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07190
NTSB summary
On December 22, 1996, at 1308 hours Pacific standard time, a homebuilt experimental Farhat RV6A, N961CP, collided with mountainous terrain near Julian, California, after encountering icing conditions, turbulence, and downdrafts. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot and his passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated from Bullhead City, Arizona, at 1214 mountain standard time. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and an instrument flight plan was filed. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records disclosed that the pilot received a preflight weather briefing and an update briefing before departure from an air traffic control specialist (ATCS). He was advised of SIGMET PAPA 14 for moderate occasional severe turbulence below 16,000 feet msl. He was also advised of AIRMET ZULU for occasional moderate rime and mixed icing precipitation below 20,000 feet; AIRMET SIERRA for mountains occasionally obscured in clouds and precipitation; and AIRMET TANGO for turbulence and low level wind shear. The ATCS told the pilot that the freezing level was now 9,000 feet at his departure airport and was trending lower. He also told him that conditions were expected to improve overnight; however, the pilot decided to depart that day and filed an IFR flight plan with an altitude request for 10,000 feet. At 1255, the pilot reported to the controller at the San Diego east radar sector that he was experiencing icing conditions and needed a lower altitude. The pilot
Probable cause
flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in the accumulation of airframe ice and an inability to maintain clearance (proper altitude) from mountainous terrain. Moderate to severe icing conditions in clouds, turbulence, and mountainous terrain were related factors.
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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.
