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Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: San Diego, California
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Lycoming Engines; Phoenix, Arizona
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N2179L
Location: Ramona, CA
Accident Number: WPR17FA063
Date & Time: 02/12/2017, 1410 PST
Registration: N2179L
Aircraft: CESSNA 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
On February 12, 2017, about 1410 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N2179L, impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Pamo Valley about 5 miles north of Ramona, California. The flight instructor and the student pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to American Aviation Academy, Inc, Gillespie, California, and operated by the company under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which originated from Gillespie Field Airport (SEE), Gillespie, California about 1325.
A witness saw the airplane flying northbound from his home located in the Pamo Valley, about 1 mile southwest of the accident site. The witness watched as the airplane turned and flew straight towards his location. The airplane passed over the witness about 100-150 ft above ground level (agl) when he made "eye contact" with the pilot. After the airplane passed by, the witness heard the "full acceleration of the engine" as it flew towards the mountain to the east of the witness's location. He watched as the airplane turned towards the northeast; he then lost sight of it over a ridge.
The flight instructor reported that this was his third instructional flight of the day. The passenger was a student pilot who joined the flight when her own instructional flight was cancelled. During the preflight of the airplane, the passenger was added to the company's manifest, and she sat in the rear right seat. The student pilot and the flight instructor were seated in the forward left and right seats respectively. The flight instructor reported they performed the usual protocols before the engine start up until prior to takeoff. They departed a practice area about 8 miles north of Ramona and performed flight training maneuvers.
After departing the practice area, they performed a simulated engine failure maneuver over Pamo Valley about 1.5 miles west of the accident site. According to the flight instructor, the maneuver was completed at least 700 ft agl, and the student pilot advanced the throttle to full power and turned left about 90° to an east heading, toward rising terrain. The flight instructor stated that the gauges all read normal, but the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain ahead. He verified that all settings were normal and took over the controls from the student pilot. The flight instructor stated that he could not turn left or right due to the rising terrain on both sides and decided to stay centered over the narrow and wooded ravine that ascended the mountain. He stated that he had no choice but to crash the airplane. He further stated that before impacting terrain, he brought back the throttle halfway then advanced it to full power to cushion the impact with the trees. The airplane came to rest upright. The flight instructor was able to unbuckle his seatbelt but had to cut the student pilot's seatbelt to free him. After examining the passenger, he realized that her seatbelt was not latched and that she was fatally injured. First responders arrived on scene about an hour after the accident.
According to the student pilot, while flying south over Pamo Valley, the flight instructor told him to turn left toward the east. He looked up and said "mountain, mountain." The flight instructor then took control of the airplane saying, "I have control, I have the plane." The student stated that the airplane was running fine and that there were no power output problems. According to the student, the flight instructor said, "I will show you performance like Big Bear," added full power, leaned the mixture, flew straight for 5 seconds, and then said an expletive shortly before the airplane crashed into the mountain.
A personal electronic device was recovered from the airplane and revealed the accident flight track data was obtained from the ForeFlight application on the device. The track data depicted the airplane departing SEE and performing maneuvers between 2,000 and 5,100 ft agl in a practice area about 5 miles west of the accident site. The airplane departed the practice area to the east and made multiple turns over Pamo Valley, descending to about 285 ft agl. The airplane then climbed and turned east entering an area of terrain that rose in front and on both sides of the airplane. The track continued to climb for about 1 minute 5 seconds, about 584 ft, before reaching the accident site. Refer to Figure 1.
Figure 1-Aerial View of Accident Flight Track
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The flight instructor held commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates with airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument ratings. He was issued an FAA second-class airman medical certificate on March 30, 2016, with no limitations. According to the operator, the flight instructor had accumulated 954 total hours of flight experience, of which 649 hours were as a flight instructor. He had accumulated 195 hours as an instructor in the accident make and model airplane and had flown 190 hours in the last 90 days.
The student pilot had accumulated 71 total hours of flight experience , all in the accident airplane make and model. He was issued an FAA first-class airmen medical certificate on August 24, 2016.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The four-seat, high-wing airplane, serial number 17259633, was manufactured in 2004. It was powered by a Continental Motors IO-360-L2A engine. According to the operator, the last 100-hour inspection was completed on February 1, 2017, at which time the engine had accumulated about 1,000 hours since major overhaul and the airframe had accumulated 8,564 hours of total time.
The operator reported that the airplane was topped off with fuel before departing on the accident flight and calculated the airplane's weight at 2,363 pounds at the time of the accident.
According to the airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), when flying at the airplane's maximum certificated gross weight of 2,550 pounds, under standard conditions, with no flaps and full throttle, at 2,000 ft mean seal level (msl) and, 73 knots indicated airspeed, the airplane's maximum rate of climb is 625 ft per minute.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1353, Ramona Airport (RNM), Ramona, California, elevation 1,395ft, located 5 miles south of the accident site, reported wind 300° at 10 knots, visibility 10 miles or greater, scattered clouds at 3,000 ft agl, temperature 21°C, dew point 8°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
Based on the RNM wind, the climb to the east from Pamo Valley would have had an approximate 10 knot left-quartering tailwind. Local temperature, humidity, and elevation conditions at the time of the accident resulted in a density altitude of about 2,300 ft.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The accident site, at an elevation of 1,869 ft, was located on the southeast side of Black Mountain, which has an elevation of 4,051 ft at the summit. The elevations of the surrounding peaks are near 4,000 ft.
Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted a large tree in steep terrain. The tree penetrated up through the center of the main cabin floor just behind the front seats and out the roof. The main wreckage remained intact with the exception of the propeller assembly, which separated and was located near the main wreckage. The wreckage was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.
The follow-up wreckage examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. For further information see the Wreckage Examination Summary in the docket for this accident.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The County of San Diego, Office of the Medical Examiner, San Diego, California, performed an autopsy of the passenger. The cause of death was blunt force injuries of the head and neck.
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 25, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/30/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 954 hours (Total, all aircraft), 363 hours (Total, this make and model), 843 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 190 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 60 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Student Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 27, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/24/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 71 hours (Total, all aircraft), 71 hours (Total, this make and model), 4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N2179L
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 172S9633
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/01/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 23 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8564 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRNM, 1393 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2153 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 212°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 3000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SAN DIEGO/EL CAJON, CA (SEE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: SAN DIEGO/EL CAJON, CA (SEE)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1325 PST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.151111, -116.830833 (est)
Shaira Noor, 21, of Dhaka, Bangladesh
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 12, 2017 in Ramona, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 172S, registration: N2179L
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On February 12, 2017 about 1430 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S, N2179L, impacted terrain while maneuvering five miles north of Ramona, California. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot had minor injuries and the rear seated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by American Aviation Academy, Inc, Gillespie, California, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The flight originated from Gillespie Field Airport (SEE), Gillespie, California at about 1400.
The student pilot stated that he completed a weight and balance calculation, which was signed off by the CFI. After the preflight was accomplished and fuel was added to the airplane, an additional passenger boarded. After approaching the practice area and conducting training near a dirt strip, two consecutive simulated engine failure procedures were accomplished. While climbing out on the last simulated engine failure, the CFI instructed the student pilot to turn left in the direction of east. While in the turn with full power, the student pilot recognized rising terrain and the CFI took over control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a wooded valley about 5 miles north of Ramona, California.
Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed that the airplane impacted a large tree and steep terrain. The tree penetrated through the main cabin floor and roof. The main wreckage remained intact with the exception of the propeller assembly which was located near the main wreckage. The wreckage was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.
February 14, 2017 (Ramona) – A Cessna 172S Skyhawk registered to the American Aviation Academy and flying out of Gillespie Field as an instructor/student flight on Sunday crashed onto a mountainside in Ramona, killing Shaira Noor, 21, of Bangladesh. She had been training at the academy for nine months. Noor was in the backseat of the Cessna and was impaled by a tree on impact, which killed her instantly.
Two other occupants survived, climbing to an elevated area and using cell phones to call for help, the Sheriff’s department reports.
The Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter and deputies from the Ramona substation found the crash and helped rescue the two survivors, who were transported to a local hospital. They had minor injuries and are expected to survive, according to Sergeant Andrew Mowins. The deceased woman’s remains were recovered the next day.
Cause of the crash will be determined by an investigation conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This is not the first time a flight from a Gillespie flight school has crashed. At least two have fallen into nearby neighborhoods in the past couple of years.
“We are only one and a half months into 2017 and Gillespie already has a fatality by a flight school,” says Robert Germann with Citizens Against Gillespie Expansion (CAGE), a vocal critic of flight schools at Gillespie. “Gillespie wants to increase the schools” and train air traffic controllers, he noted, adding, “Gillespie wants to be an instrumented rated airport which means aircraft/pilot training will be taking off/landing at all times of the day/night in bad weather. Is this smart for an airport surrounded by mountains/hills? These mountains are heavily populated.”
Germann also raised concerns over the flight school owner telling a group of citizens worried about low flying aircraft that “Flying is dangerous so live with us flying over your house; if you don’t like it, move.” He fires back, “I then have a problem with his judgment on how he operates his flight school. Does he put his students in unsafe situations in unsafe aircraft?
Germann said he wants to know how many hours of instruction time the instructor had and whether maneuvers were appropriate in the situation given the altitude, terrain, age and power of the aircraft, and weight of the aircraft with three people aboard.
Source: http://eastcountymagazine.org
10News confirmed the flight student killed in the small plane crash near Ramona is Shaira Noor, 21, of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Desai Shubham told 10News he was close friends with Noor and they flight trained together at American Aviation Academy.
Shubham said Noor wanted to be a professional pilot like her father in Bangladesh. She had been training at the San Diego school for about nine months. Shubham described Noor as reserved.
One of the last things Noor said to him was that she missed her family and her home.
Noor was in the back seat of the Cessna Saturday afternoon during a flight training exercise when the plane crashed into the mountain near Ramona.
The instructor and another student were in the front.
As the Cessna came down, a tree speared through the plane, killing Noor instantly.
Story and video: http://www.10news.com
RAMONA, Calif. - One woman was killed and two men were injured but survived a small plane crash in rough terrain north of Ramona Airport Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
The plane took off from Gillespie Field Airport about 2:30 p.m as an instructor/student flight, according to sheriff's Sgt. Andrew Mowins.
On board were a male instructor and another man and the woman who was killed, Cal Fire spokesman Isaac Sanchez told City News Service.
The deceased 20-year-old woman -- whose name was being withheld pending notification of kin -- died at the scene, Sanchez said.
The two men who survived were 28 and 25 years old, he said.
They climbed to high ground and called for help after the aircraft crashed into the mountainside in Ramona, Sanchez said.
A witness called 911 at 2:30 p.m. to report the plane down, but it took sheriff's deputies and Cal Fire personnel about an hour to find the wreckage, Sanchez said.
Sheriff's deputies in the ASTREA helicopter found the crash site in an inaccessible area, near Pamo Valley in the Cleveland National Forest. ASTREA was working with a joint use Sheriff/Cal Fire helicopter to access the scene, Sanchez said.
The surviving instructor and flight student suffered minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment after their rescue, Mowins said.
The woman's body remained at the scene and the medical examiner will be flown up Monday, according to Mowins.
Recovery efforts for the plane were suspended at nightfall and will resume Monday, Mowins said.
Source: http://www.10news.com
SAN DIEGO- A 20-year-old woman is dead after a small plane crashed in an inaccessible area north of Romona, Cal Fire officials confirmed.
A 28-year-old male and a 25-year-old male survived the crash, however the extent of their injuries is unknown. The three individuals were flying out of the American Aviation Academy out of Gillespie Field, Cal Fire explained. It is unclear who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.
A witness called 911 to report the plane down and Sheriff’s deputies were first dispatched on the ground and in the ASTREA helicopter to the area of 19100 Horizon View Dr. at 2:30 p.m., according to Lt. Andrea Arreola. After an initial search of the aircraft was unsuccessful authorities were forced to broaden their search.
It took deputies and Cal Fire personnel about an hour to find the wreckage according to Cal Fire PIO Isaac Sanchez.
Sheriff’s deputies in the ASTREA helicopter found the crash site in an inaccessible area, near Pamo Valley in the Cleveland National Forest. Astrea was working with a joint use Sheriff/Cal Fire helicopter to access the scene, Sanches said.
Rescue personnel set up a command post on Pamo Road. SDSO and FAA will take over investigation of crash.
Source: http://www.cw6sandiego.com
RAMONA, Calif. – A small plane with three people on board crashed in rough terrain north of the Ramona Airport Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.
A 20-year-old woman died in the crash while two men, ages 25 and 28, survived, authorities told FOX 5.
A witness called 911 at 2:30 p.m. to report the plane down, but it took sheriff’s deputies and Cal Fire personnel about an hour to find the wreckage, according to Cal Fire PIO Isaac Sanchez.
Sheriff’s deputies in the ASTREA helicopter found the crash site in an inaccessible area, near Pamo Valley in the Cleveland National Forest. ASTREA was working with a joint use Sheriff/Cal Fire helicopter to access the scene, Sanchez said.
Rescue personnel set up a command post on Pamo Road.
The identities of the people aboard the plane were not released.
Source: http://fox5sandiego.com
A 20-year-old woman is dead after a small plane carrying her and two other people crashed in an inaccessible, remote area north of Ramona, Cal Fire officials confirmed.
A 28-year-old man and a 25-year-old man survived the crash. The extent of their injuries is unclear. They were flying from the American Aviation Academy out of Gillespie Field, Cal Fire says.
The Cessna 172 crashed Sunday afternoon north of the 19100 block of Horizon View Drive, according to San Diego County Sheriff's officials and Cal Fire officials. The area is north-northeast of Ramona on the side of a mountain, says Allen Kenitzer, media relations with the FAA.
The crash is in a remote area, making it difficult for crews to access the plane.
The FAA and the NTSB will investigate. The cause of the crash is not known.
No other information is available.
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com
small plane crashed just north of Ramona on Sunday, killing a 20-year-old woman and injuring two others, a fire official said.
The two men, ages 25 and 28, were taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.
The flight had originated at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. The plane was affiliated with the American Aviation Academy.
The report of the crash came in around 2:30 p.m., Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said.
After an hour of searching, sheriff’s and fire officials found the crash site in Pamo Valley, near Ramona, Sanchez said.
The site is inaccessible by ground, and first responders were flown to it.
Source: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com
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