What happened
In the early morning hours, an aircraft was conducting a flight to transport a passenger to an uncontrolled airport that lacked landing facilities. At approximately 0400, the area was experiencing significant ground fog. The pilot had reviewed two brief weather updates while awaiting the passenger and again before the departure at 0235.
During the arrival, the pilot performed two landing attempts on runway 28. Following these attempts, a third approach was made toward runway 10. Eyewitnesses noted that while vertical visibility remained clear, horizontal visibility was severely restricted by the fog. During the final approach to runway 10, the aircraft type collided with canal berms and vineyard poles. The impact occurred roughly 250 feet before reaching the displaced threshold of the runway. There were no reported survivors or specific counts of fatalities or injuries provided in the initial report, though the impact occurred during the landing phase.
Findings
Investigation of the cockpit area revealed that approach charts for two nearby airports, both of which offered instrument approaches within a 20-mile radius, were positioned on the glare shield of the instrument panel. The presence of heavy ground fog significantly obscured the pilot's horizontal view during the landing sequence.