Beech 77 accident near French Valley, California, August 1, 2003
On August 1, 2003 at about 2:33 am local time, a Beech 77, registered N972V, was substantially damaged in an accident near French Valley, California (Murrieta/Temecula airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's attempted low altitude flight maneuver during a go-around, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2003 · about 2:33 am local time
- Place
- French Valley, California · Murrieta/Temecula · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 77 · all 77s on the register
- Registration
- N972V · no longer on the register · serial WA-39
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted the ground while maneuvering during a go around. According to witnesses, the airplane was about midfield on runway 18, approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl). The airspeed was a little faster than an "airplane that just takes off." Suddenly, the nose went straight up and came over the top. The airplane turned "like he [the pilot] was going to climb out." One witness thought that the pilot was doing some sort of aerobatic loop or had a control malfunction. The airplane turned slightly left during the loop, and it was tail low. The airplane came to rest about midfield, perpendicular to its original heading, and facing east. The aircraft in the area around the time of the accident were small, general aviation aircraft. In a post-impact inspection, investigators established control continuity.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,675 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KVNY Van Nuys CA
- Destination: F70 French Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 22,000 ft; a few clouds at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 am from KRIV, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.