Piper PA28R accident near Emigrant Gap, California, August 13, 2010
On August 13, 2010 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Piper PA28R, registered N3463Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Emigrant Gap, California (Auburn Municipal Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots’ failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2010 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Emigrant Gap, California · Auburn Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28R 201 · all PA28Rs on the register
- Registration
- N3463Q · no longer on the register · serial 28R-7737055
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was to provide mountain flying training to the private pilot. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying eastward just above the tree tops over their campsite. They stated that the engine sounded normal and that, after the airplane disappeared from their view, they heard two "bangs." The accident site was located in heavily forested, rising mountainous terrain. Damage to the left wing and a matching tree impression indicated that the airplane was in a climbing left turn when it struck the tree. It could not be determined who was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident. It is likely that the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were attempting to maneuver out of the area by initiating a climb and turn and failed to maintain clearance from trees. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology results for the flight instructor were positive for marijuana; however, the levels present were not sufficient to cause impairment.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during enroute
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Contributed to outcome
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,755 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,447 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2010
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Monterey Bay Aviation, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: AUN Auburn CA
- Destination: WVI Watsonville CA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from AUN, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.