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2 fatalities

2017 Socata TB-20 Trinidad Collision with Terrain in California (N28070)

Sierraville, CA, United States

On April 17, 2017, a SOCATA TB 20 TRINIDAD NO SERIES (registration N28070) was involved in an aviation accident near Sierraville, CA. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A Socata TB-20 Trinidad, N28070, was destroyed on April 17, 2017, after impacting mountainous terrain near Sierraville, California. The noninstrument-rated pilot and passenger were killed during a VFR flight in IMC.

Accident Overview and Flight Details On April 17, 2017, at approximately 1610 Pacific daylight time, a Socata TB-20 Trinidad airplane, registration N28070, was destroyed when it struck remote, tree-covered mountainous terrain. The impact occurred about 5.5 nautical miles southwest of Sierraville, California. The noninstrument-rated private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to the pilot and a co-owner and was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were present in the area, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight. The flight originated from Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK) at approximately 1550 and was destined for Petaluma Airport (O69).

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDecision related to condition

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Apr 2017 SOCATA TB 20 TRINIDAD NO SERIES accident near Sierraville, CA?

A Socata TB-20 Trinidad, N28070, was destroyed on April 17, 2017, after impacting mountainous terrain near Sierraville, California. The noninstrument-rated pilot and passenger were killed during a VFR flight in IMC.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Apr 2017 SOCATA TB 20 TRINIDAD NO SERIES accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Apr 2017 involved a SOCATA TB 20 TRINIDAD NO SERIES, registration N28070, at Sierraville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.

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