About 17:45 PST, a Beech 95-B55 hit mountains near Coalinga, killing the two occupants. No flight plan was filed and local area residents reported IMC with rain and wind existed near the accident site. The flight originated at Sacramento an hour earlier and was destined for Fullerton when the aircraft was lost from radio and radar coverage at 14,500 feet msl, about 20 miles southeast of the Panoche VOR. Search efforts were initiated and the wreckage was found the next day near Santa Rita Peak about 3,500 feet msl. The pilot had obtained a weather briefing that indicated VFR flight was not recommended. Airmets for turbulence and mountain obscuration were in effect for the area with pilot reports of icing in the Fresno area.
Feb. 18, Coalinga, Calif. / Beech 95-B55
About 17:45 PST, a Beech 95-B55 hit mountains near Coalinga, killing the two occupants. No flight plan was filed and local area residents reported IMC with rain and wind existed near the accident site. The flight originated at Sacramento an hour earlier and was destined for Fullerton when the aircraft was lost from radio and radar coverage at 14,500 feet msl, about 20 miles southeast of the Panoche VOR. Search efforts were initiated and the wreckage was found the next day near Santa Rita Peak about 3,500 feet msl. The pilot had obtained a weather briefing that indicated VFR flight was not recommended. Airmets for turbulence and mountain obscuration were in effect for the area with pilot repo...
Key Takeaways:
- A Beech 95-B55 aircraft crashed near Coalinga, killing two occupants, after departing Sacramento for Fullerton without a filed flight plan.
- The accident occurred in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) with rain and wind, and the aircraft was lost from radar at 14,500 feet msl.
- The pilot had received a weather briefing indicating VFR flight was not recommended, with Airmets for turbulence and mountain obscuration, and reports of icing in the area.
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