At 0819 Pacific time, the Experimental aircraft impacted a residence following an uncontrolled descent; the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The Airline Transport pilot, who also was the aircrafts builder and registered owner, was fatally injured; three people on the ground sustained minor injuries. A combination of instrument and visual conditions prevailed along the route, from Torrance, Calif., to Chino, Calif.; the flight was conducted under IFR. The pilot was cleared to climb to 5000 feet and the airplanes Mode C transponder return indicated 5300 feet msl before ATC lost radar contact. According to a witness, the airplane came out of 600-foot ceiling in a 75-degree nose-down attitude and impacted about 100 yards from the witnesss location. Local-area pilot weather reports (PIREPS) at the time of the accident included cloud tops at 2000 feet msl and 2200 feet msl.
July 07, 2004, Seal Beach, Calif. / Harmon Rocket II
At 0819 Pacific time, the Experimental aircraft impacted a residence following an uncontrolled descent; the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The Airline Transport pilot, who also was the aircrafts builder and registered owner, was fatally injured; three people on the ground sustained minor injuries. A combination of instrument and visual conditions prevailed along the route, from Torrance, Calif., to Chino, Calif.; the flight was conducted under IFR. The pilot was cleared to climb to 5000 feet and the airplanes Mode C transponder return indicated 5300 feet msl before ATC lost radar contact. According to a witness, the airplane came out of 600-foot ceiling in a...
Key Takeaways:
- An experimental aircraft, flown by its builder and owner, crashed into a residence following an uncontrolled descent, fatally injuring the pilot and causing minor injuries to three people on the ground.
- The aircraft, operating under IFR conditions, was last reported by ATC at 5300 feet MSL before radar contact was lost, despite being cleared to 5000 feet.
- Witnesses observed the plane emerge from a 600-foot ceiling in a steep, 75-degree nose-down attitude before impact.
- Prevailing weather included a combination of instrument and visual conditions, with reported cloud tops between 2000 and 2200 feet MSL.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
