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Casualties unknown

Aircraft Strikes Pine Tree During Civil Air Patrol Search Mission (N2043E)

Markleeville, CA, US

On November 3, 1997, a Cessna 182R (registration N2043E) was involved in an aviation accident near Markleeville, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The observer/pilot allowed the aircraft to get too low and too slow for the altitude and terrain conditions, and the pilot-in-command was unable to take over in time to prevent impact with a pine tree. 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 a Civil Air Patrol search mission, an aircraft impacted mountainous terrain after an observer/pilot allowed it to get too low and slow, and the pilot-in-command could not recover in time, according to the surviving passenger.

Incident Overview

An aircraft on a Civil Air Patrol search mission impacted mountainous terrain. The surviving passenger recounted the events leading to the accident.

Sequence of Events

According to the survivor, the pilot-in-command permitted the front seat observer, who was also a pilot, to fly the aircraft. During this time, the pilot-in-command was scanning the terrain to the left of the flight path. The observer/pilot allowed the aircraft to become too low and too slow for the altitude and surrounding terrain. The pilot-in-command was unable to take over control in time to prevent the aircraft from striking a pine tree. The impact caused the aircraft to nose down into the ground.

Assessment

The investigation noted that the observer/pilot allowed the aircraft to descend to an unsafe altitude and speed relative to the terrain. The pilot-in-command's delayed response prevented recovery. No further contributing factors were identified in the source.

Probable cause

The observer/pilot allowed the aircraft to get too low and too slow for the altitude and terrain conditions, and the pilot-in-command was unable to take over in time to prevent impact with a pine tree.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Nov 1997 Cessna 182R accident near Markleeville, CA?

During a Civil Air Patrol search mission, an aircraft impacted mountainous terrain after an observer/pilot allowed it to get too low and slow, and the pilot-in-command could not recover in time, according to the surviving passenger.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Nov 1997 involved a Cessna 182R, registration N2043E, at Markleeville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The observer/pilot allowed the aircraft to get too low and too slow for the altitude and terrain conditions, and the pilot-in-command was unable to take over in time to prevent impact with a pine tree.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X09197. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.