Accident Summary
On June 10, 2017, at approximately 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA28-161 airplane, registration N2171D, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. The accident occurred about 4 nautical miles northeast of Carpinteria, California. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, was seriously injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by National Air College International Inc. of San Diego, California. The personal cross-country flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a filed flight plan.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported departing Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MFY) in San Diego, California, around 1100, bound for Santa Ynez Airport (IZA) in Santa Ynez, California. According to the pilot's statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the coastline was covered by an overcast cloud layer. Over Santa Barbara (SBA), approximately 19 nautical miles west-northwest of the accident site, clouds were observed at 2,200 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot stated that because of the clouds, he began to descend in an attempt to keep the ground in sight. However, at 2,100 feet agl, he remained within a thick cloud and could not see outside. The pilot reported that after he failed to decide whether to climb or contact air traffic control for assistance, the airplane crashed into a mountain ridge. The aircraft came to rest upright, oriented on a westerly heading, with its left wing bent back at mid-span.
Following the crash, the pilot used a cell phone to contact emergency responders. Search and rescue personnel located the downed aircraft and extracted the pilot via helicopter at about 1700. A strong odor of fuel was noted at the accident site. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its engine before or during the flight that would have prevented normal operations.
Weather Information
Weather observations from Santa Barbara Airport, located about 19 nautical miles west of the accident site, indicated a cloud ceiling of 2,800 feet agl approximately 35 minutes before the accident, and a ceiling of 2,600 feet agl about 20 minutes after the accident. Winds were from the south and southwest at 6 to 7 knots.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The Piper PA28-161 is a single-engine, fixed-gear aircraft. N2171D was being used for a personal cross-country flight under Part 91. The flight originated at MFY and was destined for IZA. No flight plan was filed.