Fatal mountain collision during night cruise

1 fatality • Monoghan, United States of America • Flight

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountainside during the cruise phase of flight, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What happened

During a nighttime flight, an aircraft struck the side of a mountain at an elevation of 1,280 feet. The impact occurred against a peak that rises to a height of 1,320 feet. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was in the cruise phase of operation. There were no indications of mechanical failure or technical issues with the plane prior to the collision. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the impact, was killed in the crash.

Findings

Investigations into the accident highlighted several critical factors regarding the flight's execution. The aircraft was operating at an altitude significantly below the 3,500-foot minimum recommended for this specific mountainous region during nighttime operations. Key contributing elements included:

  • The presence of mountainous terrain at the site of the impact.
  • Inadequate flight altitude maintained by the pilot in command.
  • Poor in-flight planning and decision-making processes.
  • Low visibility conditions caused by the darkness of night.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly at an insufficient altitude through mountainous terrain during nighttime hours led to a collision with the terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1988-11-05 Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair accident near Monoghan, United States of America?

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountainside during the cruise phase of flight, resulting in the death of the pilot.

Were there any fatalities in the 1988-11-05 Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1988-11-05 involved a Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair, registration N91036, operated by Carroll Air Services, at Monoghan, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to fly at an insufficient altitude through mountainous terrain during nighttime hours led to a collision with the terrain.

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