Fatal plane crash incidents in the McClellan-Palomar Airport region

By: Compiled by staff writers Paul Sisson and Barbara Henry - North County Times | Tuesday, January 24, 2006 10:12 PM PST ∞

-- Jan. 24, 2006 --- A twin-engine jet plane crashed when it overshot the end of the runway while trying to land early in the morning. Four fatalities.

-- Sept. 17, 2002 --- Early afternoon midair collision between a Mooney M-20E and a Beech BE-76 Duchess about a mile northwest of the airport. Three fatalities.

-- June 15, 1994 --- Pilot declared an emergency about 2 minutes after takeoff, saying he lost power to one of the engines on his Cessna 421C. Plane struck a dirt berm about 1 1/2 miles northeast of the airport. Two people killed, one seriously injured.

-- Feb. 22, 1991 --- Flight instructor and student working on touch-and-go landings in less than ideal weather conditions. The Cessna 150L hit a hill about eight miles southeast of the airport. Two fatalities.

-- Feb. 17, 1986 --- Cessna 172M making a second approach to the runway at night crashed into a "fog-shrouded ridge" about two miles from the airport. One fatality.

-- Sept. 16, 1985 --- Pitts S-2A participating in filming a movie crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The plane wasn't recovered. One fatality.

-- Sept. 27, 1981 --- Cessna 152 leaving from Compton and heading toward San Diego crashed in Carlsbad. Unprepared pilot with deficient equipment became lost/disoriented, a crash report stated. One fatality.

-- July 6, 1980 ---- Cessna TU206G crashed while approaching the airport about 7:30 a.m. Inexperienced pilot and adverse weather conditions contributed to crash, a crash report found. Two fatalities.

-- Sept. 22, 1977 --- Cessna T210L plane leaving from Carlsbad bound for New Mexico crashed into hilly terrain after an "uncontrolled descent." Inexperience of the pilot contributed to the crash, a report found. One fatality.

-- June 9, 1972 --- Piper J3C-65 crashed while on final approach to the airport, landing on the seaplane base/helicopter facility area. Pilot failed to maintain flying speed, other factors contributed to crash, a report found. One fatality.

-- Feb. 24, 1968 --- Cessna 182F crashed after an uncontrolled descent during ground fog conditions. Adverse weather conditions played a part in the crash, investigators found. Four people killed.

-- Dec. 8, 1966 ---- Piper J-3C "buzzing" the airport "failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions," a crash report states. Plane struck two power cables that crossed 95 feet above a ravine. One person died.

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