No survivors found in jet that crashed in El Cajon-area neighborhood after leaving O.C. with 4 on board

KTLA ^ | Dec 28, 2021 | Matt Meyer

[Myrddin]

I've flown out of Gillespie in a Cessna 150. Takeoff to the west requires a significant climb due to mountains covered with homes. Not my favorite airport for a departure. Inbound isn't much more enjoyable. High mountains east require a "base leg" that is 45 degrees paralleling the mountains before being able to turn final. Again, less than a desirable arrangement. I usually flew out of Brown field with destinations including Ramona, Imperial, Van Nuys and a small airstrip near Chiriaco Summit. The restaurant/gas station at Chiriaco Summit buys fresh dates and makes a great date shake.

As a San Diego local, I was very familiar with getting in and out of Gillespie. A visiting pilot on a faster moving Learjet has to make decisions a bit faster than a C150.

See the link for a satellite view of the field.

Here is a link to the terrain map to understand the geometry of base leg and crosswind (takeoff) turns.

[fightin kentuckian]

“I have noticed that many of the airplane crashes in that area involve an amateur pilot who is also a medical doctor.”

I have a buddy who flies. There is a term in aviation of some planes referred to as Doctor Killers. The Dr’s can afford to fly and overestimate their ability and skill in the cockpit and end up dead.

[Fury]

Re: 41 - Great info and first hand experience - thanks.

[Big Red Badger]

Brown Field was a destination for an EAA Breakfast many Times.
Many Good Times.

[Myrddin]

My flight instructor was Ralph Buck out of Brown Field. He worked at Flying J Aviation. Ralph had a plaque on his wall with the old/bold pilot phrase. Ralph left us due to poor maintenance of the aircraft that he occupied as a passenger. A weekend trip to Ensenada. The investigation reported locked up flight controls and it appears that Ralph did his best to ensure the crash didn't land on homes. He taught me how to maneuver using the doors to induce a little drag to steer the aircraft. It appears that is just what was done to put the disabled aircraft down without harming others. RIP Ralph.

[AlaskaErik]

I’ll bet this was a stall while circling to land. No chance of recovery that low.

[WVNan]

Looking at the layout of the airport and surroundings, It seems wise to close that airfield and move it to a more rural area. It is literally surrounded by rows of houses. Never should have happened.

[nascarnation]

Why do people need a private jet to travel what is less than a 2 hr drive ?

Having a private jet is what separates the cool kids from everybody else. Any prole can drive up in a Bentley Bentayga....

[WVNan]

Speaking of chances, what are the odds of a UPS driver being killed by a falling plane? What an unexpected way to dye. God rest his soul.

[Cecily]

The story said the aircraft clipped power lines. I’m not listening to the audio, but whatever the noises were may have been the airplane hitting those lines.

[Paal Gulli]

"...I have noticed that many of the airplane crashes in that area involve an amateur pilot who is also a medical doctor...."

Same reason the V-35 Bonanza was referred to as the "forked-tail doctor-killer." It's the M-Diety complex.

[Yaelle]

That thump. It was kind of two distinct thumps and he realized he was going to die. Did NOT sound like gunshots. Maybe he did hit a tall electricity tower.

[Yaelle]

Is that what happened? The plane killed a Ups driver ?? Yikes 🙏🏼

[Myrddin]

It was "rural" when initially constructed. Like much of the San Diego area, there is an endless desire to put houses on any vacant land. It's not bad for a westbound departure, but takeoff into the left closed pattern over the houses is marginal. Montgomery would have been a much better destination. Too late.

[BobL]

“Why do people need a private jet to travel what is less than a 2 hr drive ? Kobe also chose to fly what could have been easily driven.”

It’s a status symbol thing. Show’s that the person has ‘arrived’.

[Big Red Badger]

The “Thump” may have been a
a Flap failure which thrust
The AC into a right hand
Spin,,,
.
Pilot made poor Choices.

[wardaddy]

A dangerous combo if they don’t keep enough current hours...

[wardaddy]

My dad ...seven years fighter pilot and personal pilot for work for almost 40 years and 20,000 plus total hours

Said the same thing.....doctors and lawyers....high achievers on ground can be accident prone pilots if they don’t fly at least twice a month...in a bird they are qualified for...

“Airplane killed many a good doctor son”

[Chode]

he was definitely a passenger at that point