Accident Details
On June 15, 2019, about 0910 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ6 airplane, registration N269AG, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain near Porter Ranch, California. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the airplane departed Zamperini Field Airport (TOA) in Torrance, California, with the first radar point recorded at 0845:10. The flight proceeded on northeast, then northerly, then northwest headings, generally following the coastline. During the final segment from 0902:38 to 0903:31, the airplane climbed from 2,300 ft mean sea level (msl) to 3,025 ft msl before radar contact was lost.
The wreckage was located on a 45-degree sloping terrain at an elevation of about 3,000 ft. The airplane remained largely intact with the debris field confined to the main wreckage. The nose section displayed aft crushing damage. The undercarriage and undersides of both wings sustained upward crush damage. Inboard sections of both wings were partially separated at the root and crushed. Leading edge damage was noted on both wings. The empennage remained attached but partially separated, with minor tail damage. Flight control continuity from the cockpit to all surfaces was confirmed. The engine and propeller hub assembly remained attached.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane was recovered, and a postaccident examination was conducted. The crankshaft was rotated by hand via the propeller, establishing rotational continuity throughout the engine and valve train. Internal cylinder examination using a lighted borescope revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Both left and right magnetos produced spark on all ignition leads when rotated with a hand drill. Automotive-style spark plugs showed normal operational signatures.
Weather Conditions
Satellite weather information indicated low stratiform clouds over the accident area, likely associated with a marine layer. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were reported at the closest airport prior to the accident, with marginal visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailing at the time. The lowest cloud layer was overcast at 1,300 ft above ground level (agl), but conditions were likely lower at the higher elevation of the accident site. Airmen's meteorological information advisories for IMC and mountain obscuration were in effect. The pilot held an instrument rating, but his recent instrument experience was unknown.
Pilot Information
An autopsy by the County of Los Angeles Department of the Medical Examiner–Coroner listed the cause of death as "blunt trauma." Toxicology testing at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified 44 ng/mL diphenhydramine in the pilot's cavity blood and in his liver tissue. Tadalafil was detected in muscle and liver tissue but not quantified. Zolpidem was detected in heart blood and liver tissue but not quantified. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine, zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic, and tadalafil is considered non-impairing.
Regulatory Context
The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. No further regulatory details are available from the source.