What was the probable cause of the accident?

the CFI's failure to maintain the proper altitude while flying over mountainous terrain, and his inadvertent flight into instrument weather conditions. Contributing factors were the CFI's improper in-flight decision to fly at the low altitude and his misjudged evaluation of the weather.

North American T-6G Impacts Mountain During Canyon Maneuvering (N7765C)

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-10-11 involved a North American T-6G, registration N7765C, operated by Francis W. Elliot, at Green Valley, CA.

On October 11, 1993, a North American T-6G (registration N7765C) operated by Francis W. Elliot was involved in an aviation accident near Green Valley, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the CFI's failure to maintain the proper altitude while flying over mountainous terrain, and his inadvertent flight into instrument weather conditions. 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 1781061362Data API Editorial standards

A North American T-6G, flown by a CFI checking out a foreign airline pilot, impacted a mountain after maneuvering up a canyon and making a 180-degree turn. Visibility was 0.25 miles, with cloud bases at 3,000 feet MSL.

Accident Details

A certified flight instructor (CFI) was checking out his student, a foreign country airline pilot, in a North American T-6G. The planned route was northward to Lancaster, which required traversing rising mountainous terrain. At departure, a broken ceiling existed with a base of 3,000 feet MSL.

Witness Observations

Witnesses observed the northbound T-6G flying below the clouds and maneuvering up a canyon. Seconds before the accident, the airplane was seen flying in a northward direction 100 to 200 feet over a home, just below the cloud bases. The aircraft then made a 180-degree course reversal turn and impacted the side of a mountain.

Environmental Conditions

The visibility was estimated at 0.25 miles. The crash site elevation was approximately 3,600 feet MSL. The airplane was observed below the cloud bases while maneuvering in the canyon.

Controlled flight into terrain

1993-10-11: North American T-6G (N7765C) — Francis W. Elliot — Green Valley, CA

Accident Details

Witness Observations

Environmental Conditions

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