Incident Overview
During a group flight of eight airplanes organized into three groups, two aircraft collided with mountainous terrain while flying through a box canyon. The accident involved the lead aircraft and the second aircraft in a formation of three airplanes. The first group of three aircraft, with the accident airplane flying second behind the lead, descended to an estimated 500 to 1,000 feet above ground level and proceeded up a canyon.
Sequence of Events
The lead airplane descended into the canyon, followed by the other two at about 500 feet intervals. The pilot of the third airplane estimated his altitude was about 200 feet above the leader, with the second airplane positioned between them. As the formation neared the canyon's end, the third pilot became concerned about terrain clearance and executed a hard pull-up to the left, initiating a climb. After turning approximately 15 degrees, he observed the lead airplane striking trees and terrain at his 2 o'clock position. The second airplane, slightly to the right of the lead, also collided with terrain.
Wreckage Location
Both airplanes came to rest within 75 feet of each other at the head of the canyon at an estimated elevation of 4,925 feet, approximately 400 feet below the crest of the saddle at the canyon's end. The lead airplane was identified as N156U, a Beech V35A (see NTSB report LAX02FA211). No other aircraft were involved in the accident.