WPR19FA163

The newly certificated private pilot rented the airplane to continue building flight experience in preparation for future flight training. Radar data showed that the airplane departed normally and proceeded to an area that the pilot had used as a practice area during his flight training. The airplane began to maneuver within this area, climbing to a maximum altitude of 5,300 ft mean sea level before it descended over a river and below radar coverage. Two witnesses in the area of the accident site saw the airplane “performing tricks,” during which it descended toward the surface of the water and pulled up abruptly. The airplane then entered a nose-low descent that continued until impact with the water. Both witnesses reported that the airplane impacted the river in a nose-low attitude at high speed. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering at high speed and low altitude.

On June 9, 2019, about 1732 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA 28-151 airplane, N7943C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Antioch, California. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the employees of Sterling Flight Training Center, the pilot had recently received his private pilot certificate and rented the airplane on the day of the accident to continue building flight experience in preparation for instrument training. Review of recorded radar data showed a primary target, consistent with the accident airplane, depart from Buchanan Field Airport (CCR), Concord, California, while climbing continuously. The first radar target was identified at 17:17:58 about 1.5 miles northeast of CCR. About 5 miles northeast of the airport, the airplane turned east and flew another 7 miles into a practice area that the pilot used during his flight training. As the airplane approached the northwest end of Winter Island, it turned southeast and reached a maximum altitude of about 5,300 ft mean sea level (msl) at 17:26:27. The airplane remained on a southeast heading until nearing the south end of Winter Island, when it entered a descent and turned to the northeast. The airplane continued northeast while descending to about 4,500 ft msl; its groundspeed increased to 145 kts. The airplane then completed a right, 360° descending turn to an altitude of 2,100 ft msl and groundspeed of 163 knots. The last radar target, at 17:27:25, showed the airplane on a westerly heading at 2,100 ft msl, about .16-mile northeast of the estimated accident site. A witness located near the accident site reported that their attention was drawn to the airplane due to the “strained” and “variable” sound of its engine. He and his wife saw the airplane maneuvering above their location, “performing tricks” during which the airplane was maneuvering near the surface of the water. They stated that the airplane impacted the water in a nose-low attitude at a high speed. Figure 1 is an estimate of the flight path, based on the recorded radar data. Figure 2 is an estimate of the final minutes of the flight, based on radar data. Figure 1. Estimated flight route. Points are based upon radar data. Figure 2. Estimated flight path after achieving maximum altitude near south end of Winter Island. Points are based on radar data. Other pilots who rented the airplane earlier on the day of the accident reported no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The 22-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land, which was issued on May 31, 2019, nine days before the accident. The airplane impacted the San Joaquin River, in the Broad Slough area. Search and rescue personnel reported that the wreckage was located along the river bottom, contained within an area of about 120 ft by 180 ft at a depth of about 20 ft. Portions of thewreckage were recovered from the water on June 13, 2019. The recovered wreckage included the engine, empennage, the aft fuselage, left wing, left aileron and flap, fragments of the right wing, both main landing gear, the firewall, and portions of the interior, including the rear seat bench. For additional information, refer to the airframe and engine examination report in the public docket. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no anomalies which would have precluded normal operation.