Amateur-built PITTS S2E N75BH accident near Lebec, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.

NTSB analysis

The airline transport pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-county flight. When he did not check in after a planned stop, the pilot's family reported him overdue, and an ALNOT (alert notice) was issued. The wreckage was located the next day in a remote area. Data retrieved from a handheld GPS unit revealed that, after takeoff, the airplane attained a maximum altitude of 2,500 ft above ground level (agl) and then descended to about 200 ft agl above an interstate. The airplane then turned east as it approached a mountain range. The final portion of the recording identified the airplane in a climbing left turn, starting from about 100 ft agl, climbing to 900 ft agl before descending in a right turn. The airplane impacted mountainous tree-covered terrain on a ridgeline. The wreckage distribution path was about 500 feet long and the airplane was heavily fragmented.

Weather conditions at the departure airport were VFR; however, an AIRMET (Airman's Meteorological Information) for instrument meteorological conditions was in effect for the area at the time of the accident; witnesses reported low clouds in the area on the morning of the accident. No record was found that indicated that the pilot contacted a flight service station for a weather briefing.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

It is likely that the pilot encountered adverse weather along the flight route as the airplane approached the mountain range, which forced the pilot to maneuver from his course and change altitude in an attempt to remain in visual conditions. The flight likely encountered instrument meteorological conditions as it continued further into the mountains, and, during the pilot's likely attempted to return to the interstate, he did not maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR15FA147 for the full record.