Lockheed P-3B accident near Chico, CA
On April 21, 2005, a Lockheed P-3B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chico, CA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 21, 2005
- Place
- Chico, CA
- Aircraft
- Lockheed P-3B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.987°N, 121.787°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050425X00501
Official records · SEA05MA085
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 20, 2005, about 1850 Pacific daylight time, a Lockheed P-3B air tanker airplane, N926AU, registered to and operated by Aero Union Corporation, Chico, California, impacted terrain while maneuvering about 12 nautical miles north of the Chico Municipal Airport (KCIC). The three crewmembers on board, the airline transport rated captain, the commercial rated copilot and the operator's chief pilot, who was providing flight instruction, were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The training flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight departed KCIC at 1838. According to Aero Union Corporation records, prior to the accident flight, the airplane had flown 9 times on April 20, for a total flight time of 5 hours and 46 minutes. The purpose of the flights was to provide recurrent training for pilots scheduled to conduct fire-fighting operations for the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) during the upcoming fire season. The accident captain flew the first two training flights of the day. In an interview conducted by Safety Board investigators, the copilot on those flights stated that although the accident captain had a lot of time in P-3s, he did not have much time in the low level environment. On flights 1 and 2, they dropped 2 loads of water. The accident captain briefed the copilot well regarding the drop area and escape routes. Normal drop speed was between 130 and 140 knots, and the mission w
Probable cause
Terrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. Mountainous terrain was a factor.
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Browse: California · Lockheed 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.
