LAX95LA051

The commercial pilot and passenger went on a sightseeing flight. According to the pilot, after flying for about 30 minutes he turned away from low elevation terrain and began flying 'lengthwise over a picturesque canyon.' The pilot reported that as the elevation of the terrain increased, he applied full engine power and began maneuvering at the best angle of climb airspeed. The pilot indicated that he was not able to climb over the rising terrain. The airplane crashed into the box canyon. No mechanical problems were experienced during the flight.

On December 14, 1994, at 1620 hours Pacific standard time, an American AA-1, N6236L, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering up a box canyon about 10 nautical miles southwest of Thermal, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. The flight originated from Palm Springs, California, on the day of the accident at 1535.

In the pilot's accident report, he indicated that during the initial portion of the sightseeing flight he flew on a southeasterly direction near the cities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Bermuda Dunes. After flying for about 30 minutes, he turned westerly to "fly lengthwise over a picturesque canyon."

The pilot further reported that as the elevation of the terrain increased, he applied full engine power and attempted to gain altitude while climbing at the best angle of climb airspeed. The pilot indicated that the airplane was not able to climb over the rising terrain, and there was insufficient maneuvering room from the hillsides to reverse course. During the accident flight, no mechanical malfunctions or failures were experienced with the airplane.