On October 6, 1985, a Gulfstream AA-5B (registration N45293) operated by Trans Bay Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Orinda, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft on a VFR flight plan collided with rising terrain on a southerly heading after being observed flying at low altitudes near Highway 24. Witnesses reported low ceilings and forward ground visibility of 50 feet.
Accident Overview
An aircraft operating under a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan collided with rising terrain while on a southerly heading. The accident occurred near a location where witnesses reported low ceilings and a forward ground visibility of approximately 50 feet.
Witness Observations
Approximately 15 minutes before the collision, a witness near the accident site observed the aircraft flying southeast of the area on a southwesterly heading at an altitude estimated between 200 and 500 feet above ground level (AGL). Shortly thereafter, the same witness saw the aircraft traveling northbound through the same area. Several other witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying along Highway 24 at low altitudes.
Conditions
According to the witness near the accident site, ceiling conditions were low, and forward ground visibility was limited to about 50 feet. The aircraft was flying under VFR, and a flight plan had been filed. No further details on weather conditions or the aircraft's performance were provided.