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Casualties unknown

Night Flight Ends in Power Line Collision on Ridge Line (N3562C)

Napa, CA, US

On March 11, 1994, a Piper PA-32R-301T (registration N3562C) operated by Ian J. Kirson was involved in an aviation accident near Napa, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's selection of an en route descent altitude profile inadequate to clear all terrain along his intended flight path, and, his inadvertent VFR flight into IMC 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During an evening dinner flight, an airplane descending toward its destination collided with a power line on a ridge line after losing radar contact, with witnesses reporting stratus clouds obscuring the ridge.

Overview

A pilot and passengers departed for an evening dinner flight to a town approximately 48 miles away. The pilot requested VFR advisories en route but did not request Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) monitoring.

Flight Details

Initially, the aircraft cruised at an altitude of 2,500 feet above mean sea level (msl). The pilot requested a heading to the destination from approach control, which was provided.

Radar and Communication

About three minutes after receiving the heading, approach control informed the pilot that the destination airport was at 12 o'clock and 8 miles away. The pilot acknowledged this transmission. Approximately one minute later, radio and radar contact were lost. A signal from the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was subsequently received by the local center.

Accident Sequence

According to radar data, during the final six minutes of flight, the airplane descended from 1,800 feet msl to 1,300 feet msl. No altitude data was recorded for the final five radar hits. The airplane collided with a power line located on a ridge line at an elevation of 1,300 feet msl, about 6 miles from the destination airport.

Weather Conditions

The pilot had received an abbreviated weather briefing for the dark night flight. Witnesses reported that stratus clouds were obscuring the ridge line at the time of the accident.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Mar 1994 Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Napa, CA?

During an evening dinner flight, an airplane descending toward its destination collided with a power line on a ridge line after losing radar contact, with witnesses reporting stratus clouds obscuring the ridge.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Mar 1994 involved a Piper PA-32R-301T, registration N3562C, operated by Ian J. Kirson, at Napa, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's selection of an en route descent altitude profile inadequate to clear all terrain along his intended flight path, and, his inadvertent VFR flight into IMC conditions. Factors in the accident were the dark night lighting conditions and the obscured ridge line.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X00916. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.