LAX95FA046

While on a personal sightseeing flight in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the aircraft collided with trees at the 8,300-foot level in a box canyon. The floor of the canyon rises steeply from the entrance; about 3,000 feet in 3 miles. The surrounding ridge tops which form the box rise to elevations in excess of 11,000 feet msl. Based on witness and NWS observations along the route of flight, light wind conditions prevailed in and around the accident site with no documented unusual meteorological phenomena. A passenger took videotapes of the accident flight and two previous flights. The parts of the tape with the prior flights showed the aircraft flying extremely low in and out of mountain valleys, along the desert floor, and at wave top level along the beach. The parts of the tape with the accident flight showed the aircraft low flying along the desert floor in a canyon, then buzzing a lake. The remainder of the tape showed the aircraft flying up the river valley which leads to the accident site until it abruptly stops at a damaged portion of the tape. The pilot said he flew up the river valley about 1,800 to 2,000 feet above the river [6,000 to 7,000 feet msl], then turned right at a fork in the river which leads up to the accident site canyon. He said he was at 12,000 feet msl when he turned and was over the surrounding ridges. Nearing the accident site area, the aircraft was suddenly rolled and yawed to the right by very strong turbulence. The pilot said he had the impression that the aircraft was being pushed forward and down towards the ground by some strong force. The aircraft was descending and the pilot said he managed to recover the aircraft to level flight just before colliding with trees.

History of flight

On November 27, 1994, about 1115 Pacific standard time, a Maule M-5-235C, N5629J, collided with trees at the 8,300 foot level in mountainous terrain on the south face of Kern Peak near Springville, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal sightseeing flight in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Based on witness and National Weather Service observations along the route of flight, visual meteorological conditions prevailed with generally clear skies and light wind conditions. The aircraft was destroyed in the obstacle and ground collision sequence. The certificated private pilot/owner sustained serious injuries. A pilot-rated passenger and another passenger onboard sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated at Long Beach, California, on the day of the accident at 0650 and is documented to have made en route stops at the California City and Kernville, California, airports.

Several friends and associates of the aircraft owner and the pilot-rated passenger reported that on November 19, 1994, the two flew the aircraft from Long Beach into the Owens Valley area for a day-long sightseeing flight as far north as Mammoth. Videotapes were taken of portions of the flight by the pilot-rated passenger. The videotape was recovered from the wreckage and reviewed by National Transportation Safety Board investigators. The tape showed the aircraft flying low in and out of mountain valleys, and along the desert floor near Mono Lake. These same friends and associates reported that both individuals stated they intended to return to the general area on November 27th for another flight. The third occupant was reported to be an amateur photographer who enjoys shooting plants, wildlife, and outdoor scenery.

Records of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) preflight weather briefings at the Hawthorne Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) were reviewed. The records disclosed that at 0536 Pacific standard time on November 27th, an individual who identified himself as the pilot of N5629J telephoned and requested the current and forecast weather conditions in the Mammoth area. The individual reportedly told the briefer that the flight would proceed up the Owens Valley "as far north as Mammoth." The briefer did not have current reports for Mammoth and supplied the individual with the current weather conditions in the Reno and South Lake Tahoe area.

Air-to-ground communications tapes at the Long Beach Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) revealed that the aircraft was given a takeoff clearance at 0650. Subsequent radio exchanges indicated that the flight proceeded in a westerly direction toward the VFR corridor over the Los Angeles International Airport. No other documented radio exchanges have been located between the aircraft and any other FAA facility on that day.

Records of credit card purchases revealed that a credit card belonging to the pilot-rated passenger was used at the California City airport to purchase fuel from a credit card activated automatic fuel pump. The purchase was time-stamped at 0924 on November 27th and 51.97 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel were dispensed.

All other civil airports between Palmdale and Mammoth were surveyed either in person by Civil Air Patrol search crews or by telephone.

Nelson Aviation, the fixed base operator (FBO) at the Kernville airport, Kern Valley, California, reported that their records of UNICOM contacts showed the aircraft landed at 1008, then departed again about 1030. The operator on duty stated that the aircraft landed and taxied down to the picnic area at the far end of the airport. Fueling records at the airport disclosed no evidence that the aircraft was fueled or provided with any other services.

The previously noted videotape removed from the wreckage clearly showed portions of the accident flight. The first parts of the flight showed the aircraft low flying along the desert floor in the Palmdale, California, area. The aircraft was also observed to land at several dry lake beds, and at one airport tentatively identified as California City. The tape then depicted the aircraft low flying in an area identified by a voice on the tape as Jawbone Canyon, then buzzing Lake Isabella by the Kernville airport. The aircraft was observed to land at the airport, taxi down to the picnic area, and the three occupants having something to eat. The remainder of the tape showed the aircraft flying up the Kern River Valley until it abruptly stops at a damaged portion of the tape.

On December 9, 1994, the pilot of the aircraft entered a cafe in the town of Olancha in the Owen's Valley. After having something to eat and phoning relatives, the pilot contacted the Inyo County Sheriff's Department, reported that he was involved in an aircraft accident in the mountains and that his two passengers were still at the aircraft. A sheriff's deputy and a pilot took the accident pilot in a similar aircraft and attempted to find the accident site by retracing the route the pilot said he walked along to reach the cafe. This attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot was next flown down to the area of the Kernville airport and he was able to orient himself and re-trace the accident flight up the Kern River Valley to the crash site. A U.S. Navy helicopter from the Naval Weapons Test Center at Inyokern responded to the site and found both passengers dead.

The pilot was interviewed on July, 11, 1995, at the Safety Board's Southwest Regional Office. A complete summary of the interview is attached to this report.

The pilot narrated an account of the flight starting with the departure from Long Beach. The flight proceeded to the Rosamond Skypark airport where a full stop normal landing was made. After departure from Rosamond, the flight flew to a dry lake bed, where the pilot said he normally always lands when in the area, and an additional full stop landing was made. While on the dry lake bed, the trio walked around and took some pictures of themselves and the airplane. California City was the next stop made on the itinerary, where fuel was purchased. The pilot stated that he believed 51 gallons of fuel were bought, which brought the level in the tanks to the filler necks.

After departure from California City, the flight flew directly to Kern Valley, where a full stop landing was made. The aircraft was parked at a picnic area on the airport and the three occupants had some refreshments which were brought along on the trip.

The pilot estimated that they departed Kern Valley about 1045. With reference to charts, he explained the intended route as up the Kern River Valley. He noted that they did not have any particular destination in mind; they were just going to enjoy the sights of the Sierra's. At the time he thought they may or may not go as far north as Mammouth Lakes, and might turn east before that time and head towards the Owens Valley. The pilot stated that while flying up the Kern River Valley his altitude was 1,800 to 2,000 feet above the river [from 6,000 to 7,000 feet msl, based upon a review of an area aeronautical chart].

The pilot stated that he turned right at a fork in the river which leads up to Jordan Hot Springs and the accident site canyon about 12,000 feet msl [the accident site elevation is 8,600], and over the surrounding ridges. The intention was to cross the Sierras at that point and then back to the Owens Valley. The pilot noted that he had been in the area around Kern Peak before and was familiar with the terrain. Nearing the accident site area, the aircraft began to experience a small amount of light chop-type turbulence, and then suddenly the aircraft was violently rolled and yawed to the right by very strong turbulence. The pilot said he had the impression or feeling that the aircraft was being pushed forward and down towards the ground by some strong force. The aircraft was descending and the pil