Piper PA28R N3463Q

Summary

On 13 August 2010 at about 19:45 local time, a Piper PA28R registered N3463Q, operated by Monterey Bay Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Emigrant Gap, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 August 2010 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Emigrant Gap, California, United States

Nearest airport

Auburn Municipal Airport (AUN)

Coordinates

39.4000, -120.0147

Aircraft

Piper PA28R

Registration

N3463Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Monterey Bay Aviation, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Auburn → Watsonville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10FA399

2 people died.

The pilots’ failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the flight was to provide mountain flying training to the private pilot. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying eastward just above the tree tops over their campsite. They stated that the engine sounded normal and that, after the airplane disappeared from their view, they heard two "bangs." The accident site was located in heavily forested, rising mountainous terrain. Damage to the left wing and a matching tree impression indicated that the airplane was in a climbing left turn when it struck the tree. It could not be determined who was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident. It is likely that the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were attempting to maneuver out of the area by initiating a climb and turn and failed to maintain clearance from trees. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology results for the flight instructor were positive for marijuana; however, the levels present were not sufficient to cause impairment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.