Piper PA-22-108 N4901Z accident near Frazier Park, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s geographic disorientation, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing in soft terrain and a subsequent nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the flight, he was following an interstate highway and that he then turned west to intercept a state highway and head toward his destination. He was flying about 1,000 feet above mountainous terrain when he became lost and disoriented while trying to navigate using maps and GPS. He then thought that the airplane was losing altitude. Subsequently, he concentrated on the terrain rather than direction, decided to make an off-airport landing, and landed the airplane in a dry river bottom. During the landing roll, the nosewheel dug into soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident engine and airframe examinations revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11LA318 for the full record.