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Casualties unknown

Aircraft Crash Near Redlands Airport During Night Approach (N79HW)

Redlands, CA, US

On October 27, 1988, a Piper PA31P-350 (registration N79HW) was involved in an aviation accident near Redlands, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE ALTITUDE FOR THE ATTEMPTED NIGHT SPECIAL VFR CIRCLE TO LAND MANEUVER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT, RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES AND LACK OF GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

On a dark moonless night with fog and haze, a pilot completed an ILS to Norton AFB then received special VFR clearance to Redlands. The aircraft descended and was observed low and fast over Runway 8 before crashing. Left wing struck ground in a left bank.

Background

The airport is situated adjacent to Norton Air Force Base (AFB). Weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of a dark, moonless night with 1 mile visibility in fog and haze. The pilot had minimal total night flying experience, and few ground reference lights were present in the area.

Flight Path

Radar data recorded the flight's progress. The pilot completed an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Norton AFB, descending to a low approach, and subsequently received a Special VFR clearance to proceed to Redlands Airport. The circling minimum descent altitude (MDA) for Norton is 1,700 feet above mean sea level (MSL). Norton AFB elevation is 1,100 feet MSL, while Redlands Airport elevation is 1,572 feet MSL. Notably, the circling MDA for Norton is 138 feet above Redlands Airport elevation.

Radar track indicated the flight descended to 1,800 feet on the ILS, after which the Mode C altitude varied between 1,700 and 1,600 feet. The last radar return placed the aircraft approximately 1 mile from Redlands Airport at an altitude of 1,600 feet MSL.

Witness Account

A witness on the airport observed the aircraft fly over Runway 8 in a south-to-north direction, describing it as "low and fast." The witness heard sounds of the crash immediately thereafter.

Accident Scene

Examination of the accident site revealed that the left wing of the aircraft contacted the ground while the aircraft was in a 42-degree left bank and a slight nose-down attitude.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Oct 1988 Piper PA31P-350 accident near Redlands, CA?

On a dark moonless night with fog and haze, a pilot completed an ILS to Norton AFB then received special VFR clearance to Redlands. The aircraft descended and was observed low and fast over Runway 8 before crashing. Left wing struck ground in a left bank.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Oct 1988 involved a Piper PA31P-350, registration N79HW, at Redlands, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE ALTITUDE FOR THE ATTEMPTED NIGHT SPECIAL VFR CIRCLE TO LAND MANEUVER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT, RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES AND LACK OF GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED TOTAL NIGHT EXPERIENCE.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27083. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.