What happened
The incident began when the pilot prepared to depart on a scheduled courier run in a Piper PA-32, but was unable to start the engine. After consulting with company personnel, he rented a Piper PA-28-151 and transferred the cargo. The aircraft departed Monterey, California, bound for Oakland, California. About 30 minutes after takeoff, while continuing with no FAA flight plan, the aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain located within the town of Los Gatos, California.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact engine or airframe failures. The crash site was located within one mile from a course line between the Monterey and Oakland airports. Residents in the area reported that visibility was extremely poor, ranging from 20 to 50 feet, and that the branches of tall trees could not be seen with the aid of a flashlight.
Findings
The operator had not received approval to use this make and model of aircraft in its scheduled air taxi operation. The pilot continued the flight under visual flight rules despite the reported severe weather conditions. The crash resulted in 1 fatal injury.
Safety message
Operators must ensure they have proper authorization for the specific aircraft models used in their scheduled operations. Pilots should exercise extreme caution when flying in mountainous terrain with limited visibility.