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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 8, 1982 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N7497J

Captinteria, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 8, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Captinteria, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N7497J
Operator
Cal Air Charter
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FUQ10

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SOME HEAD CONGESTION AND HAD EXPERIENCED EAR DISCOMFORT ON THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLIGHT IN A CANYON THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD ALLOW PASSAGE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AT LOW ALTITUDE. HOWEVER, THE SELECTED CANYON GRADUALLY NARROWED AND THE TERRAIN ROSE AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE AIRCRAFT COULD CLIMB. BY THE TIME HE REALIZED THE SITUATION, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AIRSPACE TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED THE TOPS OF A FEW TREES BEFORE CRASHING IN THE CANYON. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 4000 FT MSL. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD HAVE HAD TO CLIMB TO ABOVE 5000 FT TO GET OUT OF THE CANYON. LESS THEN 100 LBS OF CARGO WAS ON BOARD.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SOME HEAD CONGESTION AND HAD EXPERIENCED EAR DISCOMFORT ON THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLIGHT IN A CANYON THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD ALLOW PASSAGE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AT LOW ALTITUDE. HOWEVER, THE SELECTED CANYON GRADUALLY NARROWED AND THE TERRAIN ROSE AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE AIRCRAFT COULD CLIMB. BY THE TIME HE REALIZED THE SITUATION, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AIRSPACE TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED THE TOPS OF A FEW TREES BEFORE CRASHING IN THE CANYON. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 4000 FT MSL. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD HAVE HAD TO CLIMB TO ABOVE 5000 FT TO GET OUT OF THE CANYON. LESS THEN 100 LBS OF CARGO WAS ON BOARD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN7497J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCal Air Charter
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind260° @ 15 kt
Visibility18 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

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Appendix: Source Data