The Airplane’s Left Wing Struck A Fence Before The Airplane Struck The Ground

Location: Sylmar, CA Accident Number: WPR22FA160
Date & Time: April 20, 2022, 12:26 Local Registration: N143JB
Aircraft: Cessna 337 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 20, 2022, at 1226 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 337, N143JB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sylmar, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

After takeoff, tower personnel instructed the pilot to change radio frequency. The pilot replied that his landing gear had not fully retracted and requested to stay over the airport. The tower queried his intentions, and the pilot stated that he was going to climb to 2,500 ft and circle the airport. Tower personnel approved his request. There were no further radio transmissions from the pilot.

Witnesses in the surrounding area, and traveling on the 210 freeway, observed the airplane in a left turn. Shortly after, they observed the airplanes nose drop and spiral to the ground. The airplane came to rest on an embankment wedged between two trees, upright and in a nose-low attitude about 80 ft from the roadway. The airplane’s left wing struck a fence before the airplane struck the ground. The wing remained near the top of the embankment.

The rear engine propeller assembly separated at the crankshaft and came to rest just forward of the right wing. The forward engine propeller assembly also separated at the crankshaft and was found underneath the engine in its relative normal position. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit area to the respective flight control surfaces. The smell of fuel was present at the accident site, and the leftwing outboard and inboard fuel tanks had been breached. The right-wing inboard fuel tank had not been breached and fuel was observed in the tank, the outboard fuel tank had been breached.

The airplane was recovered for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov