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Aircraft Collides with Trees on Mountainous Terrain During Cruise (N69000)

Lake Elsinore, CA, US

On April 4, 2002, a Cessna 152 (registration N69000) was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Elsinore, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot lost awareness of his location and collided with trees. Factors in the accident were the mountainous terrain and night conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot, after completing three takeoffs and landings at Long Beach, departed for French Valley Airport. While following highways, he became disoriented, lost visual ground references, and collided with trees on mountainous terrain after attempting to climb. Occupants were rescued the following morning.

Flight History

The pilot completed three takeoffs and landings at Long Beach before departing for French Valley Airport at Murrieta, California. During the cruise flight, he followed the 91 Freeway eastbound and turned southbound to follow Interstate 15.

Events Leading to Collision

As the pilot started to climb from 2,600 feet, he obtained the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) information for French Valley. He noticed that he was off course but was unable to see any ground visual references. He turned on the landing and taxi lights and tuned in two VOR (very high frequency omni-directional radio range) stations to try and determine his position. While scanning for ground references, he suddenly noted trees in his flight path. He applied full forward throttle and started a climb; however, the airplane collided with trees on mountainous terrain.

Rescue

The occupants were rescued the following morning.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Apr 2002 Cessna 152 accident near Lake Elsinore, CA?

A pilot, after completing three takeoffs and landings at Long Beach, departed for French Valley Airport. While following highways, he became disoriented, lost visual ground references, and collided with trees on mountainous terrain after attempting to climb. Occupants were rescued the following morning.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Apr 2002 involved a Cessna 152, registration N69000, at Lake Elsinore, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot lost awareness of his location and collided with trees. Factors in the accident were the mountainous terrain and night conditions.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020410X00487. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.