Page:NTSB Report, Paul Kelly Flying Service crash.pdf/4

 SA-391 F11e No. 2-06h9 DEEARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT

Adopted: June 19, 1967 Released: Jung 22I 1261

PAUL KELLY FerG SERVICE, INC. LEAR JET 23, N215}? PAIM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 11+, 1965

SYNOPSIS

About 1721 P.s.t., November 1h, 1965, Lear Jet Model 23, N2h3F, operated as a free transportation flight by the Isul Kelly Flying Serv1ce, Inc., crashed shortly after a night takeoff from the Palm Springs Airport at Palm Springs, California. The crash was in the Indio Hills approximately l3 miles east of the airport. The six passengers and two crewmembers were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.

The flight, which was to transport the passengers to Burbank, California, was observed to depart Runway 13 1n a normal manner, commence a low-angle climb out, and accelerate to a relatively high speed. Shortly after takeoff the pilot called the Thermal, California Flight Service Station. Although station personnel responded Immediately, there were no other transmlss1ons from the flight. About this time the aircraft was observed to make a left turn beneath a low cloud base of about 3,000 feet, proceed 1n a northerly direction and then enter a steep dive from horizontal flight, and crash.

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was spatial disorientation of the pilot, resulting in a loss of control.