August 5, 2009, Napa, Calif., Cessna 182S

At 0431 Pacific time, the airplane impacted a hill shortly after departure. The solo commercial pilot was killed and the airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed and a clearance had been issued. Recorded radar data was consistent with the airplane making a shallow left bank and gradually increasing in altitude towards the east. The target was first identified at a Mode C reported altitude of 100 feet msl. During the next minute, radar returns disclosed a gradual ascent to 1000 feet msl; the last two returns show an altitude of 900 feet and a slight change of direction to the south.

Friday, September 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A solo commercial pilot was killed when his airplane impacted a hill shortly after departure in instrument meteorological conditions.
An IFR flight plan had been filed and clearance issued, but radar data showed the airplane gradually ascending to 1000 feet MSL before a slight drop to 900 feet and a change in direction prior to impact.
The last radar return was recorded approximately 0.5 miles north of the accident site, which had an elevation of about 313 feet MSL.

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Recorded radar data was consistent with the airplane making a shallow left bank and gradually increasing in altitude towards the east. The target was first identified at a Mode C reported altitude of 100 feet msl. During the next minute, radar returns disclosed a gradual ascent to 1000 feet msl; the last two returns show an altitude of 900 feet and a slight change of direction to the south. The last radar return was located about 0.5 miles north of the accident site, which had an elevation of about 313 feet msl. Fragments of the airplanes wheel pants were the debris farthest from the main wreckage; they were located downslope about 250 feet on a median magnetic bearing of about 345 degrees. All control surfaces were accounted for at the accident site.