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Casualties unknown

VFR Flight Impacts Wright Mountain During Descent Below Minimum En Route Altitude (N761NE)

Coalinga, CA, US

On February 16, 1993, a Cessna T210M (registration N761NE) operated by Csy Investments was involved in an aviation accident near Coalinga, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOTS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND HIS FAILURE TO SELECT A CRUISE ALTITUDE WHICH WOULD ENSURE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY. 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

A pilot and passenger on an evening VFR flight from Southern California to the central part of the state impacted Wright Mountain at 4,500 feet while flying 80 feet below a ridge line. The pilot descended to 4,500 feet on V-107, below the 7,000-foot MEA, and was flying with an invalid medical certificate.

Flight History

The pilot and his passenger departed the Southern California area for an evening flight to the central part of the state. The pilot contacted approach control for entry into the Los Angeles TCA and through the VFR corridor over LAX. He then climbed over mountainous terrain to 10,500 feet MSL and intercepted the V-107 airway. After passing the mountainous terrain, the pilot descended to 4,500 feet MSL on V-107.

Accident Sequence

According to Jeppesen low altitude enroute charts three and four, the minimum enroute altitude for that segment of the airway is 7,000 feet MSL. The San Francisco sectional aeronautical chart shows a maximum elevation figure of 5,600 feet MSL for the accident area. The airplane impacted 4,500-foot Wright Mountain about 80 feet below a ridge line in level flight. Radar data indicated the airplane's ground speed was about 160 knots when radar contact was lost about two and one-half miles west of V-107.

Environmental Conditions

Weather conditions were VMC, but the night was dark.

Pilot Information

The pilot was flying with an invalid medical certificate.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Feb 1993 Cessna T210M accident near Coalinga, CA?

A pilot and passenger on an evening VFR flight from Southern California to the central part of the state impacted Wright Mountain at 4,500 feet while flying 80 feet below a ridge line. The pilot descended to 4,500 feet on V-107, below the 7,000-foot MEA, and was flying with an invalid medical certificate.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Feb 1993 involved a Cessna T210M, registration N761NE, operated by Csy Investments, at Coalinga, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOTS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND HIS FAILURE TO SELECT A CRUISE ALTITUDE WHICH WOULD ENSURE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE MOUNTAINOUS NATURE OF THE TERRAIN AND THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11837. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.