On July 28, 1984, a Piper PA-23-160 (registration N4291P) was involved in an aviation accident near Garberville, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft struck trees and ground during initial climb after takeoff on a dark night in mountainous terrain. Weather was VMC. No mechanical issues were found. Wreckage was located by relatives via aerial search on 8/22/84.
Accident Overview
On a dark night in mountainous terrain, an aircraft collided with trees and the ground during its climb after takeoff. The flight path was directly aligned with the destination but crossed rising terrain. The weather at the time and place of the accident was VMC, and it was not considered a factor. The night was moonless.
Investigation Details
The wreckage was located by relatives of the pilot through an aerial search on August 22, 1984. It was found at the 2,900-foot MSL level of a 3,101-foot mountain, approximately five miles from the departure airport on a magnetic bearing of 120 degrees. The location suggested the aircraft was following a normal flight profile. No evidence of mechanical malfunctions was discovered. The crash and subsequent post-impact fire destroyed all possibilities for toxicological analysis.
Pilot Background
The pilot had flown this route at night on several previous occasions.