History of Flight
On May 7, 2010, at approximately 0944 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T206H, registration N663HP, collided with mountainous terrain while in cruise flight in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, near Borrego Springs, California. The aircraft was operated by the California Highway Patrol as a public-use surveillance aircraft. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage, followed by a post-accident fire. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Thermal, California, around 0715.
California Highway Patrol representatives indicated that between 0830 and 0920, the accident pilot conducted traffic surveillance with ground units near State Route 86 and Hoskins Street, 21 miles north of El Centro. Operations were then transferred to Interstate-8 and Dunaway Road, 14 miles west of El Centro. By 1000, the pilot had not checked in. At 1006, a dispatch operator received a report of smoke near Split Mountain. The wreckage was located around 1600 on the east face of mountainous terrain, 2 miles north of Split Mountain.
Radar data from Salt Lake City TRACON showed the aircraft using discrete transponder code 1232. The track began at 0930 over Highway 78 at 1,600 feet mean sea level, then descended while following highways. At 0940:43, the track turned southwest on a steady course of 225 degrees magnetic at 1,200 feet msl, away from the highway toward rising terrain. The final radar return was at 0943:55, 1.7 miles northeast of the accident location. The accident site lies directly on the extended course line at an elevation of 1,070 feet msl.
Personnel Information
The 39-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating issued July 15, 2005, and a second-class medical certificate issued April 19, 2010, with no limitations. His total flight time was 2,159.9 hours, including 30.9 hours in the previous 30 days. His most recent annual flight review, conducted November 20, 2009, in the same aircraft model, was marked satisfactory. The pilot maintained a consistent daily routine: awake at 0515, home by 1530–1600, light breakfast, afternoon meal, snack, dinner at 1800, and bed between 2230 and 2300. He had not complained of physical ailments, and his wife reported his sleep was sound.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear airplane (serial number T20608212) was manufactured in 2000. It was powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A 310-horsepower engine with a three-bladed McCauley constant-speed propeller. A Phase II airframe and engine inspection was completed on May 5, 2010, at total aircraft time 10,096.8 hours and 1,399.6 hours since major overhaul. The aircraft was equipped with an autopilot; CHP personnel stated that pilots were encouraged to use it when appropriate.
Meteorological Information
The El Centro automated surface observing system reported at 0956: wind from 350 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 25°C, dew point 5°C.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage lay on the east face of a steep desert mountain, 2 miles north of Split Mountain, on a 50-degree slope. The debris path ran along a 220-degree bearing from initial impact to the main wreckage, concentrated in a dry cut at about 1,070 feet msl. Fire destroyed most of the cockpit, left wing, and fuselage. The right wing was sheared chordwise between the flap and aileron. Initial impact was marked by parts including a wingtip, exhaust stack, starter, alternator, nose strut, and one propeller blade on the north side of a rock finger. A black soot streak and burned vegetation extended from that point. Two other propeller blades were found near the main wreckage and 150 feet south and above. All three blades showed leading edge gouges and sinusoidal deformation. The engine rested horizontally atop the cabin area.
A subsequent examination at Aircraft Recovery Services on May 17, 2010, noted the elevator trim actuator was missing; the flap actuator was fully retracted (zero degrees flaps). Flight control continuity was established through cable overload separations. No pre-existing abnormalities were found in the engine or airframe that would have prevented normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot's most recent medical application (April 15, 2010) indicated a history of back surgery with clearance to return to work without restrictions. No coronary artery disease was reported. An autopsy by the San Diego County Medical Examiner revealed significant coronary artery narrowing, including up to 90% stenosis in the right coronary artery, along with myocardial fibrosis and endocardial fibrosis in the left ventricle. The medical examiner noted it was possible a cardiac event due to fibrosis or ischemia from longstanding coronary atherosclerosis could have precipitated the crash.