North American NAVION accident near Salinas, CA
On August 15, 1998, a North American NAVION (airplane) was involved in an accident near Salinas, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 15, 1998
- Place
- Salinas, CA
- Aircraft
- North American NAVION · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.761°N, 121.650°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10887
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 15, 1998, about 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, a North American Navion, N8820H, collided with terrain after departure from Salinas, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot and his passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Salinas Municipal Airport at 1024. Basic visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan had been filed. Review of the air-to-ground communications tape recordings for the Salinas airport disclosed that the pilot requested and received a special visual flight rules (VFR) departure clearance at 1019. The clearance specified that the pilot was cleared out of the control zone to the north at and below 2,000 feet msl. At 1020, the aircraft was cleared for takeoff from runway 31, after requesting a right turn departure. The pilot reported abeam the dolomite mines reporting point and clear of the Class D airspace at 1023. At that time his clearance was cancelled but he was also advised that he could remain on frequency in case he needed to contact the tower due to weather. When the special clearance was issued, the airport control tower operator also informed the pilot that weather conditions were lower north of the airport. An eyewitness located near the intersection of Boronda Drive and Constitution Drive in Salinas, reported seeing a northbound aircraft beneath the clouds flying at an estimated altitude of 200 feet agl. The witness descri
Probable cause
the pilot's attempt to continue visual flight operations into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions resulting in controlled flight into rising terrain.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · North American 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.
