On January 6, 1977, a Learjet 24 (registration N12MK) operated by Jet Avia was involved in an aviation accident near Palm Springs, United States of America during takeoff. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain during climb to cruise after the crew misunderstood ATC instructions. Contributing factors: lack of visibility, high obstructions, crew misinterpreted IFR clearance and ATC instructions, ATC failed to detect deviation from route. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft struck a mountain in the San Bernardino Mountains shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, killing all four occupants. Rescuers reached the site three days later due to poor weather.
Accident Details
Shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, the aircraft was climbing by night at an altitude of 9,700 feet when it struck a mountain in the San Gorgonio Wilderness of the San Bernardino Mountains, approximately 22 miles northwest of Palm Springs. The impact occurred at a speed of 325 knots, and the aircraft disintegrated. All four occupants were killed: crew members Donald J. Weier and Jerald Wayne Foley, and passengers Dolly Sinatra and Ann Carbone. Very poor weather conditions prevented rescuers from reaching the crash site until three days later.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from controlled flight into terrain during the climb to cruise altitude. The crew misunderstood air traffic control (ATC) instructions, leading to a deviation from the intended route. Contributing factors included a lack of visibility, high obstructions in the area, the crew's misinterpretation of their IFR clearance and ATC instructions, and ATC's failure to detect the deviation from the assigned route.
Probable cause
Controlled flight into terrain during climb to cruise after the crew misunderstood ATC instructions. Contributing factors: lack of visibility, high obstructions, crew misinterpreted IFR clearance and ATC instructions, ATC failed to detect deviation from route.