What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-09-20 involved a Beech 95-A55, registration N9778Y, at Pine Mountain, CA.

Night VFR Flight Ends in Accident Near Gorman VOR (N9778Y)

On September 20, 1993, a Beech 95-A55 (registration N9778Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Pine Mountain, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT IN COMMAND DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE TERRAIN. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING BY THE PILOT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A pilot on a night VFR flight from Oakland to the Los Angeles area lost radio contact and the aircraft was later found approximately 16 miles west of the Gorman VOR at an elevation of 8,750 feet. The night was extremely dark with little moon illumination.

Departure and Flight Plan

The pilot departed Oakland, California, for a night visual flight rules (VFR) flight to the Los Angeles area. During the flight, he requested VFR flight following along his route of flight.

Air Traffic Control Communications

Shortly after being handed off to Los Angeles Air Traffic Control (ATC), the pilot was asked his next point of navigation. He responded that he was going direct Gorman, then direct Brackett Field. The pilot was then instructed to contact Los Angeles ATC, Sector 13. The pilot was unable to contact that sector, and the previous sector advised him to reattempt contact in 15 miles. No further radio communication was received from the pilot.

Accident Site Location

The accident site was located approximately 16 miles west of the Gorman VOR—the VOR to which the pilot indicated he was flying direct. The elevation of the crash site was approximately 8,750 feet mean sea level (MSL). The maximum elevation figure for that particular quadrangle on the VFR sectional chart is 9,200 feet MSL.

Weather and Lighting Conditions

According to weather information and sun/moon tables, the night was extremely dark with very little moon illumination at the time of the accident.

1993-09-20: Beech 95-A55 (N9778Y) — Pine Mountain, CA