At about 0123 Pacific time, the pilot of an Aero Commander 690A lost control during a descending turn from left base to final for runway 30 at Bishop Airport. The pilot and three passengers were killed. Witnesses said the airplanes bank angle hit 70 to 90 degrees during the turn. The pilot had indicated to the FAA he wanted to obtain a Part 135 certificate. On the accident flight, the pilot was picking up two passengers and several hundred pounds of luggage from a connecting airline flight in Oakland. Personnel at the passengers Bishop-based business office said the passengers wanted to pay for the flight, but that the pilot told them he did not have enough time in the aircraft type to act formally as a charter pilot.
August 11, Bishop, Calif. / Aero Commander 690
At about 0123 Pacific time, the pilot of an Aero Commander 690A lost control during a descending turn from left base to final for runway 30 at Bishop Airport. The pilot and three passengers were killed. Witnesses said the airplanes bank angle hit 70 to 90 degrees during the turn. The pilot had indicated to the FAA he wanted to obtain a Part 135 certificate. On the accident flight, the pilot was picking up two passengers and several hundred pounds of luggage from a connecting airline flight in Oakland. Personnel at the passengers Bishop-based business office said the passengers wanted to pay for the flight, but that the pilot told them he did not have enough time in the aircraft type to ac...
Key Takeaways:
- An Aero Commander 690A crashed during a descending turn to final at Bishop Airport, killing the pilot and three passengers.
- Witnesses observed the aircraft banking at an extreme angle of 70 to 90 degrees just before the loss of control.
- The pilot was transporting passengers who intended to pay for the flight, despite telling them he lacked the necessary experience to formally operate as a charter pilot while aspiring to obtain a Part 135 certificate.
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