CAPTINTERIA, CA, USA
N7497J
PIPER PA-28R-180
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SOME HEAD CONGESTION AND HAD EXPERIENCED EAR DISCOMFORT ON THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLIGHT IN A CANYON THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD ALLOW PASSAGE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AT LOW ALTITUDE. HOWEVER, THE SELECTED CANYON GRADUALLY NARROWED AND THE TERRAIN ROSE AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE AIRCRAFT COULD CLIMB. BY THE TIME HE REALIZED THE SITUATION, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AIRSPACE TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED THE TOPS OF A FEW TREES BEFORE CRASHING IN THE CANYON. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 4000 FT MSL. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD HAVE HAD TO CLIMB TO ABOVE 5000 FT TO GET OUT OF THE CANYON. LESS THEN 100 LBS OF CARGO WAS ON BOARD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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