S.LAKE TAHOE, CA, USA
N2031G
CESSNA 182A
THE PILOTS TOOK OFF FROM THEIR HOME AIRPORT FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. WHEN THEY FAILED TO RETURN FRIENDS INITIATED A NIGHT AERIAL AND GROUND SEARCH FOR THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT'S ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED AND THE GROUND SEARCH TEAM WAS GUIDED TO THE WRECKAGE THAT WAS LOCATED IN A REMOTE DENSE FOREST. ACCORDING TO MEMBERS OF THE SEARCH TEAM THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO HAVE STRUCK A TREE TOP NORTH OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE AREA AND NOSED INTO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A NOSE DOWN, TAIL UP ATTITUDE.
THAT THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND USED POOR JUDGMENT BY FLYING AT AN UNWARRANTED LOW ALTITUDE AND MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TREE TOPS AND THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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