What happened
A flight traveling from Monterey, California, toward Presidio-Crissy Field AFB in San Francisco ended in a fatal accident when the aircraft struck an obstacle. The plane was transporting six people, including four US Army officers and two crew members, who were en route to attend a football game.
While maintaining an altitude of approximately 1,300 feet, the pilot encountered heavy fog that significantly reduced visibility. During this period of low visibility, the single-engine aircraft collided with a water tower situated atop a hill. The impact caused the plane to lose control and descend into a nearby ravine. There were six fatalities among the occupants, including the commander and deputy commander of the Fort Ord Training Center.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was poor visibility caused by foggy conditions during the cruise phase of flight.
- The collision with a hilltop water tower led to the subsequent uncontrolled descent into the ground.