The airplane collided with the water about 40 nm west of Ocean-side, Calif., at 1253 Pacific time and was destroyed. The solo private pilot is presumed to have sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Radar data indicate the aircraft climbed along the coastline on a northerly heading, then made a left turn and continued around Catalina Island. At 1252:37, the aircraft was maintaining a heading toward San Diego at 13,700 feet MSL. The target then began a descending right turn and disappeared from radar in less than a minute. Witnesses observed an airplane in a nose-down attitude collide with water.
March 6, 2009, Oceanside, Calif., Cessna 172N
The airplane collided with the water about 40 nm west of Ocean-side, Calif., at 1253 Pacific time and was destroyed. The solo private pilot is presumed to have sustained fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.
Key Takeaways:
- A solo private pilot is presumed to have sustained fatal injuries after their airplane collided with water 40 nm west of Oceanside, California, resulting in the aircraft's destruction.
- Radar data showed the aircraft at 13,700 feet before initiating a descending right turn and disappearing from radar in less than a minute.
- Witnesses observed the airplane in a nose-down attitude as it collided with the water.
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