Monterey Regional Airport - Accidents and Incidents

Accidents and Incidents

On June 14, 1964, at about 7:35 pm, a Piper PA-28 (tail number N5384W) collided with trees in Monterey, California, killing the 34-year-old student pilot. The investigation into the fatal accident revealed that the pilot misjudged his altitude, flying too low and under the influence of alcohol. The crash also caused the Piper to catch fire.

On August 17, 1968, at about 12:36 pm, a Cessna 210 (tail number N9676T) stalled while landing at the Monterey Peninsula Airport. During the landing, the 48-year-old pilot suffered a heart attack, which caused his Cessna to stall. The Cessna was destroyed upon impact. The pilot had about 5,743 flight hours of experience.

On July 26, 1979, at about 9:43 pm, a Cessna 320A (tail number N3005R) crashed into the ground during its final approach to the Monterey Peninsula Airport. The 62-year-old pilot used improper Instrument Flight Rules operations, which caused his collision. The pilot had about 3,621 flight hours of experience.

On August 23, 1984, at about 8:51 pm, a Cessna 320C (tail number N7AE) departed from the Monterey Peninsula Airport under Special Visual Flight Rules with one 58-year-old pilot and four passengers. At about 8:55 pm, Air Traffic Control advised N7AE to turn left to avoid rising terrain. The Cessna was unable to avoid the terrain, crashed, and caught fire. The pilot and all passengers were killed. The investigation revealed that the pilot made poor decisions and did not follow instructions from Air Traffic Control. The pilot had about 2,041 hours of flight experience.

On July 27, 1985, a Piper PA-28-235 (tail number N15548) took off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport to practice holding patterns over Monterey Bay. About twelve minutes into the flight, the 60-year-old pilot radioed Air Traffic Control, "Mayday, rough engine." The Piper disappeared from Air Traffic Control's radar at about 1300 feet. Later the United States Coast Guard discovered pieces of the Piper in the ocean. The investigation revealed that the pilot used improper procedures. The pilot had about 1,923 hours of flight experience.

On July 24, 1987, at about 10:11 am, a Piper PA-32R-301T (tail number N82793) was cleared for an Instrument Landing System approach when the 39-year-old pilot decided to conduct a go around procedure. About thirty seconds after initiating the procedure, the pilot radioed Air Traffic Control, "Seven niner three, in trouble." Sixteen seconds later another transmission is broadcasted, "I have, I have an emergency back here." The Piper was seen making a 400-foot descent below assigned altitude and disappeared into Monterey Bay. A boater who witnessed the collision reported seeing the Piper "dive out" of a cloud and colliding with the water. The investigation revealed that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and lacked instrument flying time. The pilot had about 528 hours of flight experience.

On September 8, 1987, at about 5:50 pm, a Beechcraft 95 (tail number N845B), being flown by a 31-year-old student pilot, was conducting multi-engine training at the Monterey Peninsula Airport. During the training, the pilot started practicing Instrument Landing System approaches. During an approach for a landing, the Beechcraft crashed into the ground. The investigation revealed that there was inadequate supervision during the training exercise. Both the pilot and student pilot were killed.

On June 24, 1992, at about 10:30 am, a Cessna 421B (tail number N628RJ), the 40-year-old pilot and two passengers took off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport. About three minutes after takeoff, the Cessna collided with a hill about three miles east of the airport. The investigation revealed that ground fog and overconfidence in the pilot caused the accident. All three were killed in the collision. The pilot had about 75 hours of flight experience.

On August 7, 1997, at about 8:00 pm, a Grumman American AA-5 (tail number N6086L) took off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport. The Grumman was later found 18 miles south of the airport. It had crashed into the mountains which caused the Grumman to catch fire. The 31-year-old pilot had about 4,000 hours of flight experience.

On October 12, 1997, at about 5:28 pm, a Rutan Long-EZ (tail number N555JD) being flown by John Denver crashed into Monterey Bay near Pacific Grove, California. After taking off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport, the Long-EZ started its climb then descended into bay. The investigation revealed that the collision was caused by the fuel valve selector being in an improper position. Inadequate flight planning also contributed to the collision. John Denver had about 2,750 hours of flight experience.