- Date
- June 28, 1991, 23:14 local (Jun 29, 1991, 06:14 UTC)
- Place
- Goleta, CA
- Injuries
- 4 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N2CJMitsubishi MU-2B-36A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report December 4, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910628025069A
- Case key
- 27009
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after becoming spatially disoriented. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low overcast cloud condition, the pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in a near collision with another aircraft, his self induced pressure and diversion of attention, while coping with the situation that he had encountered.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
After depg santa monica at ngt, mitsubishi MU-2 plt ctcd TRACON for clnc thru tca at 6500'. TRACON tried to get automated VFR handoff to ARTCC, but was unable. Radar svc was trmtd & plt ctcd (non-radar equipped) santa barbara fss (home arpt). He was adz wx was 500' sct, 2700' bkn, 4000' ovc, vis 6 mi with fog. Plt had not filed flt plan & bgn a VOR rwy 25 apch wo obtaining clnc. As he contd ibnd, MU-2 dscndd thru clds & converged with fairchild SA227 that was on IFR apch to arpt. ARTCC ctlr, who had been ctlg SA227, adzd fss specialist of situation. Plts of both acft were adzd of otr acft's psn. MU-2 plt did not respond when asked if he was in IMC. MU-2 plt rprtd 7 or 8 mi out on VOR apch. He was told again of SA227 on final apch & to phone ARTCC after lndg. No further rdo calls were rcvd fm MU-2 plt. Radar data showed MU-2 converged WI 400' of SA227. Plt bgn left turn ovr shoreline as if to circle for spacing, but MU-2 entered dscnt & crashed in ocean. Exam of lgt bulbs indcd master caution & battery ovr temp lgts were illuminated drg impact.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2CJ
- Reported as
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-36A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 726SA
- Engine
- Garrett TPE-331, 715 horsepower, turbo prop
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Dennis M Jones
- Registered owner
- Jones Air Corporation
- Departed
- SMO · Santa Monica, CA
- Destination
- SBA · Santa Barbara, CA
- Airport
- SBA · Santa Barbara, runway 25, 6,049 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,730 total · 230 in this make and model · 1,430 as pilot in command · 23 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,700 ft broken
- Temperature
- 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.89 inHg
- Observed at
- SBA, 4 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.