20020811022199A

(.19) On August 11, 2002, about 0123 hours pacific daylight time, an aero commander 690A, N690TB, collided with terrain at the Bishop (uncontrolled) airport, in Bishop, California. The accident occurred following an in-flight loss of control during a descending turn in the airport's traffic pattern. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial certificated pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the dark, nighttime flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from oakland, California, on August 11, about 0033. Witnesses, who observed the airplane's two landing lights, indicated that they saw the airplane enter the airport's traffic pattern. Thereafter, the airplane turned onto the base leg and descended. During the subsequent left turn onto the final approach leg to runway 30, the airplane's bank angle suddenly increased until reaching between 70 and 90 degrees. Then, the airplane descended rapidly until impacting level desert terrain about 1.6 nautical miles southeast (142 degrees, magnetic) from runway 30'S landing threshold. The national transportation safety board investigator's on scene examination of the accident site and airplane wreckage revealed that the initial point of ground impact (ipi) contained fragments from the airplane's left wingtip, and several yards away were fragments from the left engine's propeller spinner. Fragmented portions of the undercarriage, lower fuselage structure, cockpit interior including cabin and cockpit seats, were found further northwest. The main wreckage was located approximately 600 feet northwest (310 degrees, magnetic) from the ipi. Evidence of fuel was noted in the vicinity of both engines. There was no fire. The pilot owned and operated the airplane. He had indicated to federal aviation administration (FAA) personnel his intent to obtain an air carrier operating certificate, which would authorize him to transport passengers for hire pursuant to 14 CFR part 135. Earlier during the day, the pilot flew from Bishop to oakland. During this flight segment the pilot was accompanied by a friend. Upon arrival, the pilot purchased fuel for the return nighttime flight to Bishop. By prior arrangement, the pilot had agreed to transport two additional passengers from oakland to Bishop. The passengers arrived in oakland via a scheduled airline flight. The passengers, along with several hundred pounds of their luggage, boarded the pilot's airplane and the accident flight commenced. Personnel at the passengers' Bishop-based business office indicated to the safety board investigator that the passengers desired to reimburse the pilot for the cost of their transportation. However, the pilot pointed out that he "did not have enough time in the aircraft type to act formally as a charter pilot." It was therefore agreed that "in exchange for the favor of the flight" the pilot would receive a photograph(s) from the passengers, who were professional photographers. (-23) the pilot had attended and completed flight safety international in the GA-690 series aircraft on 05/09/02. The pilot had logged only one hour of night time in the 690 series aircraft and was two days beyond night currency requirements at the time of the accident. On 8/10/02, at approximately 1930, the pilot and one passenger departed Bishop, CA, for a flight to oakland, CA. The purpose of the flight was to collect two additional passengers and return to Bishop, CA. Upon arrival in oakland, the pilot had a steak d inner which was completed at approximately 2030 and subsequently awaited for his passengers to arrive. On 8/11/2002 at approximately 0030, the pilot and his three passengers departed oakland, CA for the return flight to Bishop, CA. Witnesses in Bishop reported observing the aircraft landing lights as the aircraft entered the Bishop area. The witnesses observed the aircraft turn to the base leg of the approach and start a descent. The witnesses further stated that during the turn from base to final, the bank angle of the aircraft increased until reaching approximately 70 to 90 degrees. Subsequently, the aircraft nose dropped and the aircraft impacted the ground 1.6 miles short of runway 30.