4 fatal · Rockwell 114 · 2003-05-26 · Bishop, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX03FA166
Event ID
20030603X00762
Type
Accident
Date
2003-05-26
Location
Bishop, CA, USA
Coordinates
37.285831, -118.68
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
Rockwell
Model
114
Registration
N4730W
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering close to the ground over mountainous terrain in a high density altitude environment near the upper performance capability of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush into the terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper in-flight decision to fly low over high elevation, upsloping mountainous terrain, and the high density altitude.