What happened
On the evening of November 14, 1965, a Lear Jet Model 23, registered as N243F, departed from Palm Springs Airport under the operation of Paul Kelly Flying Service, Inc. The flight was intended to transport passengers to Burbank, California. Witnesses observed the aircraft departing Runway 13 with a standard takeoff procedure, initiating a low-angle climb and increasing speed.
Shortly after the departure, the pilot contacted the Thermal, California Flight Service Station. Following this communication, there were no further radio transmissions from the flight crew. During the initial climb, the aircraft was seen performing a left turn under a cloud ceiling of approximately 3,000 feet. While traveling in a northerly direction, the plane transitioned from level flight into a sharp, steep dive. The aircraft struck the terrain in the Indio Hills, roughly 13 miles east of the airport. The impact and subsequent fire caused the total destruction of the airframe and resulted in eight fatalities, including all six passengers and two crewmembers.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the accident was caused by the spatial disorientation of the pilot, which led to a complete loss of aircraft control.