Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Echo Summit, CA
On August 19, 2002, a Piper PA-28R-200 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Echo Summit, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 19, 2002
- Place
- Echo Summit, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.783°N, 120.033°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020828X01466
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 19, 2002, at 1025 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200 single-engine airplane, N7794C, was destroyed upon collision with trees and terrain while maneuvering near Echo Summit, California. The instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the South Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL) at 1030, and was destined for the Buchanan Field Airport, near Concord, California. The pilot of N7794C contacted ground control at 1025:55 requesting taxi instructions for departure. The pilot was cleared to taxi to runway 18 and was notified the wind was form 180 degrees at 13 knots, altimeter 30.06 inches, and told to check density altitude. After completing a run-up, the pilot contacted the tower and requested a straight out departure over Echo Summit. No distress calls were received from the airplane. The wreckage of the airplane was located after a post-impact fire sparked a 400-acre forest fire, known as the "Showers Fire" which continued to burn for 4-5 days following the aircraft accident. The airplane was estimated to have 38 gallons of fuel on board at the time of departure from TVY. According to the pilot's brother, the airplane was topped off with fuel prior to the flight from Concord to South Lake Tahoe. The brother also reported that he estimated that the total weight of the overnight baggage carried o
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue the flight into the rising mountainous terrain, and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing factors were the rising mountainous terrain, and the high density altitude,
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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.
