Aircraft Collision with Terrain in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (N6111C)

Accident Overview and Radar Data The aircraft collided with hilly desert terrain 8 miles west of the destination airport after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating. Radar tracking began at 1703:34 from El Monte, California, and the eastbound target was last recorded at 1832:31 at a Mode C altitude of 8,300 feet mean sea level (7,000 feet above ground level). ## Wreckage Location and Condition The highly fragmented and burned wreckage was located about 1/2-mile west of the last recorded radar position. The debris field extended 130 feet on a magnetic heading of 160 degrees. ## Communications and Weather Reports Around 1815, a light rain storm with some lightning passed through the airport traffic area, moving southeast to northwest toward the accident site and clearing about 1825. At 1821, an unidentified aircraft contacted the Unicom operator to ask about the weather. The operator provided AWOS data and asked where the aircraft was coming from. The pilot replied, “L.A. area, 35 out at 8,500,” and said he could see Bullhead City, Arizona, off his left wing. The pilot requested the runway in use, and the operator responded, “32 left traffic.” Between 1825 and 1827, a call came over the Unicom radio stating, “Hey Unicom I’m in trouble.” The Unicom operator made several calls but received no response. ## Meteorological Analysis At 1815, the AWOS reported 3,000 feet scattered, 4,000 feet broken, and 11,000 feet overcast, with winds from 330 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 23 knots. A meteorological analysis using radar, satellite imagery, and upper-air soundings found that visual conditions generally existed along the route until the immediate accident area, where merging cloud layers had bases at 300 feet above ground level and tops to 22,000 feet. Light rain showers likely existed at the accident site.