Accident Overview
A cargo aircraft operating a night flight crashed into the sea a few miles off the coast of San Francisco while on final approach to San Francisco Airport. The crew had reported pitch control problems before control was lost.
Flight and Crew
The flight was a cargo operation conducted at night. The two crew members consisted of a captain and a copilot. During the approach on a base leg, the pilot reported a loss of pitch control.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after the crew's report of pitch difficulties, control of the aircraft was lost. The airplane subsequently crashed into the water a few miles offshore. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Rescue and Recovery
After the accident, the copilot was rescued. The captain's body was found one week later. No further details on injuries or condition of the copilot were provided.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be an uncontrolled descent and collision with water for an undetermined reason. The pilot reported loss of pitch control on base leg. The absence of wreckage recovery precluded a more detailed determination.