What happened
On the morning of the accident, a Lockheed Constellation operated by Paradise Airlines was performing a multi-leg flight beginning in Oakland. After stops in Salinas and San Jose, the aircraft departed San Jose at 10:40 under a VFR flight plan. Although the crew initially received an IFR clearance to maintain 11,000 feet via Sacramento and the Lake Tahoe VOR, the company directed a VFR flight to Tahoe-Valley Airport because no approved IFR approach existed for that destination.
During the flight, the crew communicated with another Paradise Airlines aircraft, which reported encountering icing and snow showers near the lake. The crew of the Lockheed Constellation subsequently climbed to 15,000 feet. At 11:27, the crew received a weather update from an agent at Tahoe Valley Airport, reporting a 2,000-foot ceiling, snow showers, and visibility of 3 miles. Following this information, the crew appeared to abandon their approach to the destination airport.
The aircraft turned toward high terrain east of the lake, likely seeking VFR conditions on the leeward side of the mountains. It is believed the crew intended to use Daggett Pass as an entry point into clearer weather, assuming that flying at 9,000 feet would provide sufficient clearance over the pass. However, the aircraft leveled off, potentially due to a belief that terrain could be cleared or because structural icing prevented further climbing. The aircraft struck trees on the western slope of a ridge at Genoa Peak at approximately 8,675 feet while in a nearly level attitude with the right wing low. The impact caused the aircraft to break up, resulting in all aboard being killed.
Findings
- The crew attempted a visual landing approach despite adverse weather conditions.
- The pilot deviated from prescribed VFR flight procedures while attempting to navigate mountainous terrain.