20020630013989A

(.19) On June 30, 2002, about 1100 pacific daylight time, a Beech S-35, N576Q, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Ojai, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91. The private pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The personal local flight departed van nuys, California, about 1030. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 34 degrees 33.495 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 28.120 minutes west longitude. A witness reported that the pilot was one of a group that routinely gathered on weekends for local flights. The accident flight consisted of a group of eight airplanes. The airplanes departed as three groups in formation with the accident pilot as the lead pilot; two groups consisted of three airplanes and a third group consisted of two airplanes. The group formed up at 4,500 feet. The witness reported that after flying around the area for about 25 minutes, the lead instructed everyone to separate and follow in trail. The lead and the number two airplane stayed in formation with the second airplane on the right wing. The rest of the airplanes followed in loose trail as the leader maneuvered in a serpentine manner. The flight was now over the Ojai area and proceeded on a northerly heading. The witness reported that the two lead airplanes separated from the rest of the group, descended to an estimated 500 to 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL), and proceeded up a canyon. A few moments later, the witness observed smoke and a fire. Several of the airplanes orbited the site and notified authorities. The two airplanes came to rest within 75 feet of each other at the bottom of the head of the canyon at an estimated elevation of 4,925 feet. The slope of the terrain at the accident site was approximately 45 degrees. A saddle on top at the head of the canyon was at an estimated elevation of 5,400 feet, and less than 1/2 mile from the accident site. Investigators from the safety board and a representative from Raytheon Beech examined the wreckage on scene. Investigators established control continuity from the flight controls to the cabin area. The engine came to rest inverted. The bottom spark plugs for cylinders no. 1, 2, 4, and 6 were removed. They did not exhibit any mechanical damage; the electrodes appeared circular and gray in color, which corresponded to normal operation according to the champion aviation check-a-plug AV-27 chart. The magnetos and fuel control units sustained extensive thermal damage. One propeller blade separated 6 inches from the hub; the fracture surface had a matte finish and was irregularly shaped. A second blade separated about 12 inches from the hub; the fracture surface had a matte finish and was irregularly shaped. The third blade separated about 24 inches from the hub; the fracture surface had a matte finish and was irregularly shaped. One blade tip, which was curled, was recovered. (-23) aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain while attempting to outclimb the box canyon it had entered at approximately 500' AGL (above base of canyon). This is the second of two aircraft that crashed in loose formation flight while attempting to climb above the terrain, fully loaded, temp. Over 100 degrees f, @ 5,000 foot density altitude.