What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-01-13 involved a Beech F33A, registration N31706, at MT San Jacinto, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the high/mountainous terrain, and the adverse weather condition (low ceiling/clouds).

Terrain Impact Near Mount San Jacinto After Banning Pass Flight (N31706)

On January 13, 1997, a Beech F33A (registration N31706) was involved in an aviation accident near MT San Jacinto, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

After takeoff from Torrance, a pilot requested radar flight following to Palm Springs via Banning Pass. While cruising at 7,600 ft, the pilot asked about course; the controller noted the pass was at eleven o'clock and eight miles. The airplane continued east-northeast and impacted terrain 3.5 miles west of Mount San Jacinto at 7,650 ft elevation. A GPS receiver recorded the flight track.

Flight Details

The accident flight began with a takeoff from Torrance. The pilot requested radar flight following service for a route through the Banning Pass to Palm Springs. Clouds were reported in the Banning Pass area at the time.

Communication

At 1435:21, while the airplane was proceeding eastbound at 7,600 feet, the pilot asked the controller, "we on course through the Banning Pass?" The controller responded at 1435:26, informing the pilot that the aircraft was not through the Banning Pass and that the pass was at eleven o'clock and eight miles. No further communications from the pilot were recorded.

Accident Sequence

After the communication, the airplane continued cruising at approximately 7,600 feet (as indicated by the Mode C transponder altitude) on an east-northeasterly course. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain about 3.5 miles from the western side of Mount San Jacinto. The peak elevation of Mount San Jacinto is 10,804 feet. The crash site elevation was 7,650 feet.

GPS Data

A handheld GPS receiver was recovered from the wreckage and functionally tested. The extracted data showed that the GPS receiver had been operating during the accident flight. It had accurately recorded the airplane's flight track, and the last recorded location was within half a mile of the crash site.

The pilot was familiar with the southern California area.

1997-01-13: Beech F33A (N31706) — MT San Jacinto, CA