Piper PA28 N37RV accident near Oceanside, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to depart on the night visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and collision with rising terrain.

NTSB analysis

Video from the airport surveillance system showed the airplane arrived at the airport, and the pilot and passenger then left for a period. Two witnesses at the airport about that time described deteriorating weather conditions, including fog, and cancelled their evening flight. The video showed the pilot and passenger returned to the airport and then departed on the night visual flight rules flight. A witness near the airport watched the airplane take off, turn left, and enter fog followed by the sound of a loud crash sound. The wreckage was located the next morning, about 1/4 mile southwest of the airport just below the ridgeline of a 210-ft hill.

The pilot did not recall any of the details about the accident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage throughout the fuselage. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of available weather vendors revealed no record of the pilot having received a preflight weather briefing; however, it could not be determined if the pilot obtained weather information using other sources. There were no pilot reports, SIGMETs, center weather advisories, or meteorological impact statements valid for the accident area. An AIRMET advisory Tango warned of moderate turbulence below 10,000 ft with conditions ending between 1900 and 2200. Reported weather at the departure airport indicated deteriorating visibility with fog present. Vertical visibility deteriorated from 300 ft above ground level (agl) to 200 ft agl in the hour before the accident flight departed. It is likely that the pilot departed into deteriorating weather conditions and failed to maintain clearance from the hillside.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19FA075 for the full record.