SAN MARCOS, CA, USA
N8196J
PIPER PA-32-301T
AT APRX 2209 PDT, THE PLT DEPARTED FRESNO, CA ON A NIGHT, VFR, X-COUNTRY FLT. HE CANCELLED HIS VFR FLT PLAN AT 0009 PDT & LANDED AT RAMONA, CA AT 0012. AFTER LANDING, HE CALLED HIS WIFE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE WX AT PALOMAR, CA. SHE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW & REPORTED THAT SHE COULD SEE STARS. THE PLT THEN TOOK OFF AT APRX 0017 FOR A 23 MI FLT. APRX 15 MI WEST OF RAMONA, THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF A HILL IN A GROVE OF AVOCAD TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 1000 FT MSL. ACCORDING TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE WX WAS FOGGY WITH APRX 1/2 MI VISIBILITY, THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 300 FT, THE WIND WAS CALM & THE TEMP WAS 56 DEG. REPORTEDLY, THE FOG HAD BEEN IN THE VALLEY FOR 2 TO 3 HRS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE & WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF AN IN-FLT STRUCTURAL FAILURE OR LOSS OF POWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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