Piper PA-28-181 accident near Bangor, CA
On June 8, 1998, a Piper PA-28-181 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Bangor, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 8, 1998
- Place
- Bangor, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.419°N, 121.360°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10337
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 8, 1998, at 0804 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N9703C, impacted hilly terrain near Bangor, California. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, cruised into instrument meteorological conditions during the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions existed in the vicinity of the accident site, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the private pilot was fatally injured. The passenger, who also held a private pilot certificate, and the family dog were also fatally injured. Neither pilot was instrument rated. The planned nonstop flight to Bend, Oregon, originated from Lincoln, California, about 0740. A review of the recorded radar data, and the pilot and controller statements, indicated that after takeoff the pilot requested and received radar flight following service. At 0759, while proceeding north-northwest bound between 2,000 and 2,100 feet mean sea level (msl) as indicated by the airplane's Mode C transponder, the pilot established contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Sector D42 radar controller. At 0759:28, the pilot advised the controller that he was not flying in visual meteorological conditions (VMC), was in the clouds, and was on autopilot. The controller acknowledged the transmission and asked the pilot "what will be the route of flight?" The pilot responded "three four zero." The controller stated "use caution and maintain VFR" (visual flight rules). At 0800:06, the pi
Probable cause
The pilot's attempted flight into instrument meteorological conditions, loss of spatial orientation, and the resultant loss of airplane control. Contributing factors were his improper preflight and in-flight decisions, overconfidence in his personal ability, and the low ceiling. An additional factor was the radar controller's substantial deviation from prescribed procedures for handling VFR aircra
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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.
