On July 4, 1990, a Cessna 172N (registration N2810E) operated by B&e Aircraft was involved in an aviation accident near Avalon, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, DECISION, AND HIS INTENTIONAL LOW FLYING NEAR MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. 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.
A pilot flying low over a Catalina Island camp to drop a birthday present for his daughter maneuvered into a canyon, entered a steep bank, and collided with the canyon side.
Incident
A pilot planned a low-altitude flyover to surprise his daughter at a summer camp on Catalina Island for her 12th birthday. The pilot intended to toss a wrapped birthday present from the airplane as it passed over the camp. The pilot's son and a work associate were also aboard the flight.
Witness Observations
Witnesses at the camp observed the airplane fly overhead at an altitude between 100 and 200 feet above ground level. The present was tossed from the airplane during the pass.
Maneuvering and Collision
Adjacent to the camp was a box-like canyon with rapidly rising terrain. The pilot flew the airplane into the canyon and then maneuvered to exit. While maneuvering, the airplane entered a steep left bank and collided with the side of the canyon.
What happened in the 4 Jul 1990 Cessna 172N accident near Avalon, CA?
A pilot flying low over a Catalina Island camp to drop a birthday present for his daughter maneuvered into a canyon, entered a steep bank, and collided with the canyon side.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Jul 1990 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N2810E, operated by B&e Aircraft, at Avalon, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, DECISION, AND HIS INTENTIONAL LOW FLYING NEAR MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT'S NOT MAINTAINING/FOLLOWING PROPER VFR PROCEDURES, THE RELATED DISTRACTION OF THE OPEN CABIN DOOR, AND THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION TO GROUND ACTIVITIES.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…