Date & Time:
Feb 2, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Miller Air Transporters Company (MATCO)
Registration:
N68392
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
5615
YOM:
1943
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight to Santa Barbara when the airplane crashed in a mountainous area located on the San Clemente Island. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances and the wreckage was found seven months later on September 11, 1981. The pilot was killed. A load of 900 lbs of marijuana was also found in and around the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance.
Final Report:
N68392.pdf82.06 KB
