Bay Area C-172 Crash

[aloft]

A C-172 with four on board crashed last night in the mountains southeast of San Jose near Morgan Hill. Wreckage was spotted by a Civil Air Patrol aircrew and confirmed by sheriff's ground rescue teams.

Conditions at time of departure:

• Ceilings 3000-5000ft
• Terrain in the area 3000-5000ft
• Freezing level 3500ft
• Airmet out for icing: Moderate rime ice at freezing level and above
• Non-instrument rated pilot flying into MVFR conditions

Two GA aircraft heard a mayday call before the crash.

This media coverage was pretty good, actually, 'cept for the reporter's reference to the ELT as the "transponder beacon".

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_356131615.html

[fender_jag]

I heard about it last night. So sad that it happened, even worse that they were killed only a few days before Xmas.

Two adults and two children were on board; we'll see what the NTSB has to say. Sure is a shame.

[alphaone]

Not to speculate, but perhaps VFR rated pilots should not go to the edge like that...

[Aero_Engineer]

Still sad and heart breaking, I wish the families of the victims strength thriugh this tough times especially during this holiday season.

[Chris_Ford]

Originally Posted by alphaone

Not to speculate, but perhaps VFR rated pilots should not go to the edge like that...

Who says they weren't instrument rated?

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Chris_Ford

Who says they weren't instrument rated?

first post, last bullet item

Non-instrument rated pilot flying into MVFR conditions

[ready2fly]

Originally Posted by Chris_Ford

Who says they weren't instrument rated?

[aloft]

Originally Posted by alphaone

Not to speculate, but perhaps VFR rated pilots should not go to the edge like that...

Instrument rated pilots shouldn't be flying into icing conditions in a fully loaded 172, either.

Putting on my armchair NTSB investigator jersey, I suspect they were done in by carb ice, if not airframe ice.

[aloft]

So the latest revelation is that the pilot earned his private ticket just 2-3 months ago, was in contact with ATC and was reporting problems with his altimeter (iced-over static port, anyone?).

[n77j]

I hate to speculate but the wx was really terrible that day even for IFR. In the last few years, i have seen a few aircraft in that area and San Juan Bautista area(those familiar to the Bay area), crash flying VFR when the wx was MVFR or even worse. Sad decision by the pilot who just earned his private pilot accoridng to his famliy members.

Also, another plane crashed in Livermoore, while on the IFR approach. I wonder what happened to that one. it sounds like he was an expereinced pilot too. Take care you'all drive and fly safe-

[JEP]

Originally Posted by aloft

Instrument rated pilots shouldn't be flying into icing conditions in a fully loaded 172, either.

Putting on my armchair NTSB investigator jersey, I suspect they were done in by carb ice, if not airframe ice.

On December 21, 2005, at 2055 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N7383A, impacted terrain following a loss of control near Gilroy, California. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The non-instrument rated private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country flight, which departed San Martin, California, around 2035. The flight was destined for Fresno, California.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...27X02016&key=1

[mrivc211]

when will instructors start teaching their students when not to go for a ride. You should always encourage them to not be afraid, but a little fear goes a long way. Why fly in those conditions? Why? Is it really necassary? I was telling my vfr student the other night that if he ever got caught in a cloud by accident, to not mess around and immediately turn on the auto pilot. Just be the watch dog and get out of the cloud.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by mrivc211

when will instructors start teaching their students when not to go for a ride. You should always encourage them to not be afraid, but a little fear goes a long way. Why fly in those conditions? Why? Is it really necassary? I was telling my vfr student the other night that if he ever got caught in a cloud by accident, to not mess around and immediately turn on the auto pilot. Just be the watch dog and get out of the cloud.

It is absolutely crazy. For the pilot to even attempt going up in this wx would be nuts. The fact teat he was taking thre pax with him is beyond belief. If one wants to be crazy and mess with their own life is one thing. To take three unsuspecting people with you is mind-boggling.

[bob loblaw]

Assigned/Registered Aircraft

Aircraft Description N7383A,

Serial Number 29483 Type Registration IndividualManufacturer NameCESSNA Certificate Issue Date10/27/2003 Model172 StatusValid Type AircraftFixed Wing Single-EngineType EngineReciprocating Pending Number ChangeNone DealerNo Date Change AuthorizedNone Mode S Code52365605 MFR Year1956 Fractional OwnerNO


Registered Owner

Name VONGIESE LEONARD Street16890 CHURCH ST BLDG 2 CityMORGAN HILL StateCALIFORNIA Zip Code 95037-5153 CountySANTA CLARA CountryUNITED STATES

Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer CONT MOTOR ClassificationStandard Engine Model 0-300 SER Category A/W Date12/08/1956

Other Owner Names

None

Temporary Certificate

None

Fuel Modifications

None

[jrh]

Originally Posted by mrivc211

when will instructors start teaching their students when not to go for a ride. You should always encourage them to not be afraid, but a little fear goes a long way.

Some people don't learn. It doesn't matter how much you tell them, teach them, lecture them, yell at them, try to show them, or politely ask them to reevaluate their decisions. They just don't get it. For those people, I only hope that they'll come within inches of death, scrape by, and scare themselves enough to learn. Unfortunately, this pilot came closer than a few inches and didn't scrape by.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by bob loblaw

Assigned/Registered Aircraft

Aircraft Description N7383A,

Serial Number 29483
Type Registration Individual
Manufacturer NameCESSNA
Certificate Issue Date10/27/2003
Model172
StatusValid
Type AircraftFixed Wing Single-Engine
Type EngineReciprocating
Pending Number ChangeNone
DealerNo
Date Change AuthorizedNone
Mode S Code52365605
MFR Year1956
Fractional OwnerNO


Registered Owner
Name VONGIESE LEONARD S
treet16890 CHURCH ST BLDG 2
CityMORGAN HILL
StateCALIFORNIA
Zip Code 95037-5153
CountySANTA CLARA
CountryUNITED STATES

Airworthiness
Engine Manufacturer CONT MOTOR
ClassificationStandard
Engine Model 0-300 SER
Category A/W Date12/08/1956

Other Owner Names

None

Temporary Certificate
None

Fuel Modifications
None

Kind of like the link I posted

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...27X02016&key=1
__________________

[bob loblaw]

Originally Posted by JEP

Kind of like the link I posted

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...27X02016&key=1
__________________

I don't understand. I posted the information from the FAA registry. You posted the NTSB report.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by bob loblaw

I don't understand. I posted the information from the FAA registry. You posted the NTSB report.

my bad....different reply....