Piper PA-28-140 accident near Kneeland, CA

On July 23, 2002, a Piper PA-28-140 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kneeland, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

July 23, 2002

Place

Kneeland, CA

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140 · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

40.816°N, 123.991°W

NTSB ID

20020731X01271

Official records · LAX02FA234

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

Air traffic control records

• ATC Statements: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 23, 2002, approximately 1500 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 single-engine airplane, N8801N, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain while maneuvering near Kneeland, California. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and another private individual. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed in-flight for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed the Kneeland Airport (O19), approximately 1420, and was destined for the Arcata Airport (ACV), Arcata, California. According to California Department of Forestry (CDF) personnel, who were interviewed by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and party members, the pilot landed at O19 approximately 1245, parked the airplane on the side of the runway, and then ate lunch at the CDF facility. CDF personnel reported that this was the first time they had seen or met the pilot. The pilot stated he was an employee of an air freight charter company, and reported he departed earlier that day from an airport near Sacramento, California, and was traveling to Arcata to pick-up an airplane for a charter flight that evening. CDF personnel reported the pilot placed a call to an individual, who was a fellow company pilot and located at ACV, for weather information. CDF stated it was a common practice for pilots to land at O19 if poor weather was reported in the Arcata area. The pilot mentioned the airplane did not have a

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees while executing an instrument approach. Contributing factors were the clouds and obscuration weather conditions.

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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.