February 17, 2010, Palo Alto, Calif., Cessna 310R

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted multiple residential structures and terrain following an in-flight collision with power lines and a power line tower at about 0754 Pacific time. The collision occurred shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were killed. There were no reported ground injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed and was destroyed shortly after takeoff following an in-flight collision with power lines and a tower.
  • The accident resulted in the deaths of the commercial pilot and two passengers, with no ground injuries reported.
  • The crash occurred around 0754 Pacific time in prevailing instrument conditions, with witnesses observing the aircraft flying at a low altitude.
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The airplane was destroyed when it impacted multiple residential structures and terrain following an in-flight collision with power lines and a power line tower at about 0754 Pacific time. The collision occurred shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were killed. There were no reported ground injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.

Multiple witnesses observed portions of the accident sequence. One witness watched the airplane fly in a level or slightly nose-up attitude from her left to her right at a low altitude until it impacted the power lines.

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