The airplane impacted mountainous terrain at approximately 2130 Pacific time under unknown circumstances. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to ATC, the pilot was receiving flight following services in cruise at about 11,500 feet msl, then began descending at about 2107. Radar contact was lost shortly thereafter about 35 nm southwest of Reno. The last radio contact with the pilot was at approximately 2115. The wreckage was located about 0700 the next day at an elevation of approximately 8600 feet msl. According to the operator, the student pilot was not given authorization to conduct the flight. He had received a total of 1.8 hours dual instruction at night, which took place during a single flight on August 6, 2008, the night before the accident. The pilots total flight time was approximately 97 hours.
August 7, 2008, Incline Village, Nev., Cessna 172S
The airplane impacted mountainous terrain at approximately 2130 Pacific time under unknown circumstances. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to ATC, the pilot was receiving flight following services in cruise at about 11,500 feet msl, then began descending at about 2107. Radar contact was lost shortly thereafter about 35 nm southwest of Reno. The last radio contact with the pilot was at approximately 2115. The wreckage was located about 0700 the next day at an elevation of approximately 8600 feet msl.
Key Takeaways:
- A student pilot was killed when their unauthorized airplane impacted mountainous terrain at night under unknown circumstances.
- The accident occurred during a descent from 11,500 feet msl, with radar and radio contact lost shortly before the crash.
- The student pilot, with 97 hours total flight time, had only 1.8 hours of night flight experience, acquired the night before the accident.
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