At 15:35 Pacific time, a Cessna 177RG struck mountainous terrain during approach to Pauma Valley Airport. The pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries. The pilot said he was descending VFR and was on an extended downwind when he intentionally flew into what appeared to be an isolated cloud. The cloud was larger than he anticipated and eventually he saw vegetation on a mountainside a short distance in front of them. The airplane crashed on upsloping terrain.
May 27, Pauma Valley, Calif. / Cessna Cardinal RG
At 15:35 Pacific time, a Cessna 177RG struck mountainous terrain during approach to Pauma Valley Airport. The pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries. The pilot said he was descending VFR and was on an extended downwind when he intentionally flew into what appeared to be an isolated cloud. The cloud was larger than he anticipated and eventually he saw vegetation on a mountainside a short distance in front of them. The airplane crashed on upsloping terrain....
Key Takeaways:
- A Cessna 177RG crashed into mountainous terrain near Pauma Valley Airport during approach, resulting in minor injuries to the pilot and passenger.
- The pilot intentionally flew into what he believed was an isolated cloud while descending VFR, but it was larger than anticipated.
- Loss of visual reference inside the unexpected cloud led to the aircraft striking upsloping terrain.
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