Narrative:
While on a VFR flight from Ontario (ONT) to Las Vegas (VGT), the aircraft collided with mountainous terrain near the top of a 6500 feet (2000 m) high peak. Radar data showed that approx 20 min before the accident, the aircraft began a gradual descent from about FL100. This inadvertent descent was possibly caused by pilot fatigue (lack of sleep).
PROBABLE CAUSE:
"Altitude .. not maintained .. pilot in command
Descent .. inadvertent .. pilot in command
Fatigue(lack of sleep) .. pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
Terrain condition .. mountainous/hilly"
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 16 January 1987 |
| Time: | 06:40 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208 Caravan I |
| Operator: | California Air Charter |
| Registration: | N9613F |
| MSN: | 20800106 |
| First flight: | 1986 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 126 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Cima, CA ( United States of America)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 2000 m (6562 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Ontario International Airport, CA (ONT/KONT), United States of America |
| Las Vegas-North Air Terminal, NV (VGT/KVGT), United States of America |
While on a VFR flight from Ontario (ONT) to Las Vegas (VGT), the aircraft collided with mountainous terrain near the top of a 6500 feet (2000 m) high peak. Radar data showed that approx 20 min before the accident, the aircraft began a gradual descent from about FL100. This inadvertent descent was possibly caused by pilot fatigue (lack of sleep).
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
"Altitude .. not maintained .. pilot in command
Descent .. inadvertent .. pilot in command
Fatigue(lack of sleep) .. pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
Terrain condition .. mountainous/hilly"
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Insufficient rest / fatigue Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Ontario International Airport, CA to Las Vegas-North Air Terminal, NV as the crow flies is 322 km (201 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
Distance from Ontario International Airport, CA to Las Vegas-North Air Terminal, NV as the crow flies is 322 km (201 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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