Accident Summary
On November 25, 2019, about 1739 Pacific standard time, a Beech V35 airplane, registration N14UC, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Blythe, California. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.
Flight and Communications
The pilot was returning to Hemet-Ryan Airport (KHMT) from La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) in Tucson, Arizona, after refueling at Gila Bend Municipal Airport (E63) during the return flight. The accident flight originated from 57AZ at about 1601 mountain standard time.
Review of Federal Aviation Administration radio communications revealed that the air traffic controller advised the pilot of earlier reports of moderate turbulence along the intended route and to use extreme caution. The pilot later reported a "rough" ride, stated he was turning around, and intended to land at Blythe Airport (BLH). Radar data showed the airplane descending; the controller lost Mode-C altitude readout. The pilot said he had his "hands full" and requested landing information for BLH, then reported being at 2,500 ft and climbing, heading back to Interstate Highway 10, and seeing a mountain in front. No further communication was established.
Witnesses near the accident site reported seeing the airplane impact terrain in a nose-low, steep attitude with no correction, becoming engulfed in flames. Some observed blue navigation lights; others described a white or yellowish white light. Two witnesses noted darkness, one reported high wind, and another reported poor visibility.
Weather Information
A National Transportation Safety Board weather study revealed very strong winds across mountainous terrain in southern California, with surface winds gusting to 25 to 35 knots and a frontal boundary pushing southeast. Visibility was reduced due to dust. Upper air sounding data indicated moderate-to-severe mountain wave conditions. Pilot reports in the area described severe turbulence, including a loss of 40 knots at 8,000 ft with moderate turbulence.
A significant meteorological information (SIGMET) advisory issued about 50 minutes before departure warned of severe turbulence; another SIGMET 15 minutes before departure warned of reduced visibility due to blowing dust. Airmen's meteorological information advisories warned of moderate turbulence. The Los Angeles Center Weather Service Unit issued a weather advisory at 1000 PST with forecast severe turbulence and a meteorological impact statement.
The accident pilot did not request or receive a weather briefing through the FAA contract provider Leidos or via ForeFlight. However, the pilot viewed airport information from various airports along the route. There is no record of other weather information retrieval.
Astronomical data indicated that at the time of the accident, civil twilight had ended (1701 PST) and the moon was below the horizon (moonset at 1614 PST).
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was located about 3/4 mile south of Interstate Highway 10, scattered across terrain and partially burned. The main fuselage came to rest on a heading of about 200°, with an initial impact crater about 3 ft deep and ground scars similar in length to the wing leading edges. The left-wing impact location was identified from pieces of navigation light lens. The airplane impacted in an upright attitude.
On-scene examination revealed heavy fragmentation consistent with impact forces. Debris was found along a heading of about 170° for about 500 ft from the initial crater. All major components were located. Postaccident examination found no anomalies, mechanical failures, or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical Information
An autopsy conducted by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Coroner Division determined the pilot's cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing on muscle tissue was positive for ethanol at 0.06 grams per hectogram. The report noted that postmortem production of ethanol occurs and that some or all of the identified ethanol likely came from sources other than ingestion and did not contribute to the accident. No tested-for drugs of abuse were detected.