WPR24FA124

Factual narrative

On April 13, 2024, about 2019 Pacific daylight time, a Gulfstream Corporation 695A, N965BC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near San Bernardino, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot had planned to fly the airplane from the Stockton Metro Airport (SCK), Stockton, California to the Chino Airport (CNO), Chino, California, after the completion of recurrent training that had been conducted in the accident airplane. According to preliminary Automatic Dependent System Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed SCK at 1902, turned to a southerly heading, and climbed to a cruise altitude of flight level (FL) 250. About 1928, the airplane turned to the southeast, and remained at FL 250 until about 1957, when it began a descent. During the descent, the airplane’s flight track deviated about 15° left, and the air traffic control (ATC) controller asked the pilot if he intended to remain on the established standard terminal arrival route. The pilot responded that the airplane’s autopilot had disengaged in turbulence, and he was “correcting.” About 2013, ADS-B data showed that the airplane was at 12,000 ft mean sea level (msl), when the pilot reported to ATC, moderate rime ice accumulation. Two additional descent clearances were issued by ATC, to 8,000 ft msl and 7,400 ft msl, respectively. The pilot reported that the icing conditions continued during the descent. The airplane descended below 7,400 ft msl and ATC instructed the pilot to climb the airplane to 7,400 ft msl, stating that the minimum vectoring altitude in that location was 7,400 ft msl. ADS-B data showed that at 2017:57, the airplane leveled off at 7,200 ft msl for about 30 seconds, before it began a rapid descent. The last recorded ADS-B target was at 2018:47, at an altitude of 2,600 ft msl. An Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued at 2035 and a ground search was initiated. The wreckage was located on April 14, 2024, by the San Bernardino County Sherrif’s Aviation Unit in steep sloping terrain approximately 20 miles northeast of CNO, at an elevation of about 2,541 ft msl. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted mountainous terrain near the top of a 45° sloping ridgeline within a south facing ravine. Debris was dispersed along both sides of the sloping ridgeline. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) with the ground was near the top of the sloping ridgeline. The portion of the debris field along the south facing slope was about 260 ft in length from the FIPC and was oriented on a magnetic heading of 236°. The portion of the debris field along the north facing slope was about 190 ft in length from the FIPC and was oriented on a magnetic heading of 286°. All major structural components of the airplane were observed throughout the debris field. The wreckage has been recovered to a secure location for further examination. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded
• — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Ice/rain protection system-Airfoil anti-ice, deice-Capability exceeded
• — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Auto flight system-Autopilot system-Incorrect use/operation
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Personality/attitude-Confidence/reliance on equip-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Workload management-Task overload-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to structural icing-Effect on equipment
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Freezing rain/sleet-Effect on equipment