Fragments Of The Airplane Were Scattered About 200 Ft Upslope From The Main Wreckage

Location: Big Bear City, CA Accident Number: WPR22FA044
Date & Time: November 20, 2021, 16:56 Local Registration: N291KT
Aircraft: Jahnke Lionel G Glasair III Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On November 20, 2021, about 1656 Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur-built GlasAir III N291KT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near San Bernardino, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot was noticed missing on November 21, 2021, and a search for the airplane began. Subsequently, the airplane wreckage was located near the summit of San Bernardino Peak. According to preliminary radar data, the airplane departed Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California, on a cross-country flight. The last radar return indicated that the airplane’s altitude was about 9,300 ft msl on a heading of 095°, and the ground speed was 219 knots. The airplane impacted mountainous terrain on about the same heading and altitude.

Examination of the wreckage site revealed a disturbed area of rocks and trees where the airplane impacted the terrain. Fragments of the wings and fuselage were located in this area. The only portion of the airplane that was relatively intact was the tail section, which was also found with the main wreckage. All the flight control surfaces on the vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizers remained attached.

Fragments of the airplane were scattered about 200 ft upslope from the main wreckage and about 100 ft below the site. The engine, which had sustained substantial impact damage during the accident sequence, had separated from the fuselage and was located about 100 ft upslope of the main wreckage.

The propeller blades and hub had separated. VFR weather conditions were reported over the region. No SIGMETs or convective SIGMETs were active for the area. Additionally, there were no NWS weather advisories current for the area.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov