2 fatal · Piper PA-31-350 · 1995-12-23 · SAN JOSE, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX96FA078
Event ID
20001207X05019
Type
Accident
Date
1995-12-23
Location
SAN JOSE, CA, USA
Coordinates
37.239398, -121.729484
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-31-350
Registration
N27954
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NDRK
Weather
Unk
Probable cause
The failure of the air traffic controller to comply with instructions contained in the Air Traffic Control Handbook, FAA Order 7110.65, which resulted in the flight being vectored at an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) and failure to issue a safety advisory. In addition, the controller's supervisor monitoring the controller's actions failed to detect and correct the vector below the MVA. A factor in the accident was the flightcrew's failure to maintain situational awareness of nearby terrain and failure to challenge the controller's instructions.