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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 28, 2006 · Beech V35B · N346D

Independence, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 2006
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Independence, CA
Aircraft
Beech V35B
Tail Number
N346D
Operator
Rosemarie Pelfrey
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06LA249

The airplane collided with terrain in a box canyon during the en route climb. The planned route of flight was westbound over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The pilot indicated that downdrafts from a mountain wave prevented the airplane from climbing. The airplane was in a box canyon, and she had no room to turn toward lower terrain. The pilot landed the airplane in a clearing near a road. The airplane sustained substantial damage in the rough terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning regarding the selection of the altitude and route of flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain in a box canyon after encountering mountain wave.

Full Narrative

On July 28, 2006, about 1527 Pacific daylight time, a Beech V35B, N346D, collided with terrain near Independence, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Independence about 1520, with a planned destination of Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. While en route from Las Vegas to San Francisco, the pilot experienced a loss of electrical power and landed at Independence. After charging the airplane’s battery, the pilot departed for Madera, where repairs to the electrical system could be made. While climbing over the lee side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 8 miles west of Independence, the pilot encountered a mountain wave activity and was unable to climb. The airplane was in a box canyon, and she had no room to turn toward lower terrain. The pilot landed the airplane in a clearing near a road about 50 miles per hour. The airplane sustained substantial damage in the rough terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:27 PDT
Nearest AirportIndependence (8nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech V35B
Tail NumberN346D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRosemarie Pelfrey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 54
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data