At about 1010 Pacific time, a Grumman AA-5B struck terrain shortly after departing from Santa Paula, killing both aboard. A witness said the airplane departed runway 22 and turned to a left downwind as it climbed. He said it held a high climb angle and appeared to be angling toward the mountains. The tops of the mountains were obscured but there was a patch of blue sky ahead of the airplane over the mountains. The airplane collided with a 55-degree slope about 200 feet below the crest of a ridgeline that ran northeast to southwest. No preaccident anomalies were found.
June 07, Santa Paula, Calif. / Grumman Tiger
At about 1010 Pacific time, a Grumman AA-5B struck terrain shortly after departing from Santa Paula, killing both aboard. A witness said the airplane departed runway 22 and turned to a left downwind as it climbed. He said it held a high climb angle and appeared to be angling toward the mountains. The tops of the mountains were obscured but there was a patch of blue sky ahead of the airplane over the mountains. The airplane collided with a 55-degree slope about 200 feet below the crest of a ridgeline that ran northeast to southwest. No preaccident anomalies were found....
Key Takeaways:
- A Grumman AA-5B crashed shortly after departing Santa Paula, killing both occupants aboard.
- The aircraft struck a 55-degree slope about 200 feet below a ridgeline crest, with mountain tops obscured despite a patch of blue sky ahead.
- A witness reported the plane maintained a high climb angle, turning to a left downwind and angling towards the mountains before impact.
- Investigators found no pre-accident anomalies with the aircraft.
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