General Aviation Aircraft Collision with Terrain and Power Line Near Burbank (N39778)

Flight Progression and Loss of Radar Contact After takeoff, the pilot received traffic advisories from Burbank Approach Control to proceed eastbound through the area of the Burbank ARSA to intercept V459. At 1258:56 PST, radar service was terminated, and the pilot was given a VFR transponder code and instructed to maintain VFR flight. Approximately 45 seconds later, an ELT signal was heard for a brief time. ## Wreckage Location and Investigation Findings Two days after the incident, wreckage of the aircraft was found in mountainous terrain about 5 miles east of Burbank Airport. The elevation of the crash site was about 1,900 feet. The investigation revealed that when radar service was terminated, the aircraft was flying eastbound at about 1,900 feet MSL. Subsequently, it turned left toward high terrain, collided with a power line cable, then crashed and burned. Impact occurred as the aircraft was on a northerly heading and in a left turn. ## Weather Conditions At 1246 PST, the weather at Burbank was partly cloudy with a ceiling of 1,000 feet, estimated 3,000 feet broken, 5,000 feet overcast, visibility 4 miles with rain, and wind calm. About one-half hour later, the weather at Burbank was 600 feet scattered, 1,500 feet overcast, visibility 4 miles with rain, and wind calm.