June 3, 2001, Piper PA-28-181 N8253W near Lytle Creek, CA (FOUND 09/21/08 near Lytle Creek, CA)
LOST AIRCRAFT SYNOPSIS:
On June 3, 2001, sometime after 7:32 PM, a Piper PA-28-181, Archer II (N8253W), became missing in the vicinity of Lytle Creek, California, on a flight from Perris Valley to Laverne, California. The airplane departed Perris Valley Airport at 7:15 PM en-route to Brackett Field in Laverne. Air Desert Pacific operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and rented it to the pilot for a personal flight.
The operator reported the airplane was overdue on June 6 and the airplane had not been located as of June 14. The private pilot, the sole occupant, is missing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
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AIRCRAFT LOCATED:
It was confirmed this morning that the plane wreckage found on Saturday is in fact the missing Piper PA-28 that went missing in June, 2001. The wreckage was spotted on Saturday by a county sheriff's helicopter on the north slope of Cucamonga Peak, at the 5,700 foot level on an isolated escarpment. The helicopter was on a "routine patrol" in the area.
On Sunday, eight members of the San Bernardino Sheriff's office and a county coroner were flown to the crash site where they confirmed the registration number of the missing plane. The fragmented, skeletal remains of what is believed to be the pilot were found, "within 400 feet of the plane".
The recovery of the aircraft took place on 10/3/08. Thank you to fellow wreckchaser Ryan Gilmore for the opportunity to post these photos of the recovery operation.
Read MoreOn June 3, 2001, sometime after 7:32 PM, a Piper PA-28-181, Archer II (N8253W), became missing in the vicinity of Lytle Creek, California, on a flight from Perris Valley to Laverne, California. The airplane departed Perris Valley Airport at 7:15 PM en-route to Brackett Field in Laverne. Air Desert Pacific operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and rented it to the pilot for a personal flight.
The operator reported the airplane was overdue on June 6 and the airplane had not been located as of June 14. The private pilot, the sole occupant, is missing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
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AIRCRAFT LOCATED:
It was confirmed this morning that the plane wreckage found on Saturday is in fact the missing Piper PA-28 that went missing in June, 2001. The wreckage was spotted on Saturday by a county sheriff's helicopter on the north slope of Cucamonga Peak, at the 5,700 foot level on an isolated escarpment. The helicopter was on a "routine patrol" in the area.
On Sunday, eight members of the San Bernardino Sheriff's office and a county coroner were flown to the crash site where they confirmed the registration number of the missing plane. The fragmented, skeletal remains of what is believed to be the pilot were found, "within 400 feet of the plane".
The recovery of the aircraft took place on 10/3/08. Thank you to fellow wreckchaser Ryan Gilmore for the opportunity to post these photos of the recovery operation.
