Beech S35 accident near Ojai, CA

On June 30, 2002, a Beech S35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ojai, CA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

June 30, 2002

Place

Ojai, CA

Aircraft

Beech S35 · Airplane

Injuries

3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

34.558°N, 119.469°W

NTSB ID

20020710X01086

Official records · LAX02FA212

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 30, 2002, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Beech S35, N576Q, collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in a canyon near Ojai, California. The pilot was operating the borrowed airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The personal cross-country flight departed Van Nuys (VNY), California, about 1030, en route to Oceano (L52), California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 34 degrees 33.495 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 28.120 minutes west longitude. A witness reported that the pilot was one of a group that routinely gathered on weekends for local flights. They all met at Van Nuys about 0930 for a preflight briefing. The accident pilot flew the number two airplane. The flight leader obtained a weather brief. He then briefed the group on weather, communications, route, altitudes, alternates, and safety issues. The flight consisted of a group of eight airplanes. The airplanes departed as three groups in formation. Two groups consisted of three airplanes, and a third group consisted of just two airplanes. The group formed up at 4,500 feet. The witnesses reported that after flying around the area for about 25 minutes, the lead instructed everyone to separate and follow in trail. The lead and the number two airplane stayed in formation with the second airplane on the right wing. The rest of the airplanes followed in loose trail as the leader maneuvered in a serpentine

Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude within the canyon.

More accidents in CA

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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.