Date:	Monday 23 March 1970
Time:	15:45 LT
Type:	Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche
Owner/operator:	Aviation Center
Registration:	N8720V
MSN:	30-1173
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Category:	Accident
Location:	River Lake Ranch, Cottonwood, CA -   United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure airport:	River Lake Ranch, Cottonwood, California
Destination airport:	San Jose International Airport, San Jose, California (KSJC)
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
Written off (destroyed) March 23, 1970 when stalled and crashed during the initial climb out phase from River Lake Ranch, Cottonwood, California; all six persons on board (pilot and five passengers) were killed. Aircraft took off above safe maximum take off weight; over gross weight by 504 lbs. Center of gravity 1.20 inches aft of C of G limit. Exceeded aircraft performance capabilities. According to the following excerpt from the official NTSB report into the accident:

"PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C of G.

1. NTSB Identification: OAK70AP048 at https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=3903&key=0
2. FAA: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=8720V
3. http://planecrashmap.com/plane/ca/N8720V/

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
25-Feb-2008 12:00	ASN archive	Added
26-Jan-2017 19:39	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Operator, Location, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, ]