19991015029119A

(.19) On October 15, 1999, at 2245 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5169B, collided with rising terrain while maneuvering near Ventura, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot and his passenger received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by royal aviation under 14 CFR part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the santa barbara municipal airport, santa barbara, California, at 2226 that evening. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan was filed. An eyewitness stated that he was walking on the beach about 2230 that evening, when he saw an aircraft flying along the coastline. He estimated that the aircraft was flying about 100 feet MSL as it passed overhead. He said that the southbound aircraft made a left turn and flew inland less than a mile before turning southbound again. The aircraft disappeared from his view in a coastal fogbank that was also obscuring steeply rising terrain further to the south. Since he did not hear the sound of a collision or see a fire, he concluded that the aircraft had somehow managed to clear the escarpment. When the aircra ft failed to arrive at john wayne airport, in santa ana, California, concerned family members notified the FAA. The aircraft was located about 0920 the following morning by airborne Ventura county sheriff's deputies. The santa barbara air traffic control tower (ATCT) operator had reported receiving an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal beginning about 2245 the previous evening. The accident site was located about the 550-foot level of terrain that rose to nearly 600 feet. The site was less than a mile from emma woods state beach and north of U.S. Highway 101. The site was covered by manzanita brush that stood about 6 to 8 feet in height. The deputies reported that the geographic coordinates were 34 degrees 17.67 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 20.13 minutes west longitude. The aircraft was found on a heading of 140 degrees. The positive 40-degree angular crush line on the leading edges of both wings was congruent with the angular slope of the rising terrain when both slopes are measured from a common horizontal plane. The aft fuselage showed evidence of buckling aft of the rear window. There was no evidence of fire. Although the airframe exhibited structural deformation, all flight control surfaces were found in place. Control continuity was established from the cockpit through the corresponding flight control surfaces. Both cockpit control yokes were separated forward of the instrument panel. Fuel was found in both main tanks. Fuel samples taken from both tanks were blue in color and free of visible contamination. Both tanks' filler ports were stenciled 100 ll. The aircraft retrieval personnel reported that they drained a total of 20 gallons from both main tanks before the aircraft was recovered. The fuel shutoff valve was found in the on position. The propeller exhibited a scarred, curled and twisted blade, while the opposite blade showed only slight evidence of bending and leading edge scarring. (-23) see attached sheet