Narrative:The pilot reported to ATC he had the airport in sight from 7,000 feet msl more than 30 miles (48 km) away. A weather reporting station located 5 miles (8 km) east of the accident site was reporting two cloud layers; a scattered layer at 1,500 feet agl, and a broken layer at 5,000 feet agl. The airplane was descending after the pilot was cleared for a visual approach. The airplane collided with a tree and the ground in a wings level attitude at an elevation of 1,500 feet msl.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain visual contact with terrain and sufficient altitude for terrain clearance. Factors in the accident were the pilot's decision to initiate a descent 14 miles from the airport, and weather, specifically cloud conditions and darkness."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 11 months | Accident number: | LAX95FA077 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Misjudgement of speed or altitiude
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» NTSB id LAX95FA077
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Visalia Airport, CA to Oakland International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 294 km (183 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.