Beech A36 accident near San Gorgonio Mo, CA
On February 23, 1998, a Beech A36 (airplane) was involved in an accident near San Gorgonio Mo, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 23, 1998
- Place
- San Gorgonio Mo, CA
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.080°N, 116.901°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09564
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 23, 1998, about 1100 hours Pacific standard time (PST), a Beech A36, N3103W, collided with mountainous terrain in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area about 11.3 nautical miles south-southeast of Big Bear City, California. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Big Bear City Airport about 0930, and was destined for Carlsbad, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at Big Bear City Airport at the time of departure. There was no flight plan filed for the flight. A pilot at the Big Bear City Airport witnessed the accident airplane depart the airport. The pilot's attention was drawn to the accident airplane because of deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot observed the accident airplane takeoff from runway 26, turn east over the airport, and climb to approximately 9,000 feet above mean sea level (msl). The witness last saw the airplane turn southeast towards Palm Springs, California. The pilot also indicated there were strong winds blowing from the west associated with a frontal system. The pilot also observed clouds south of the airport with bases 500 feet above ground level (agl). Concerned family members reported the airplane overdue. An emergency locator transmitter beacon (ELT) was also heard emanating from the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Marginal weather conditions existed in the area, which impeded the search. The San Bernardino
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to an encounter with adverse winds and downdrafts on the lee side of a mountain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which precipitated his intentional flight into an area of known adverse weather in high mountainous terrain. Factors include terrain induced turbulence and downdrafts as a result of high wind conditions.
More accidents in CA
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Browse: California · Beech 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.
