This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N227TF
- History of Flight:
On May 7, 2026, at about 1055 local time, a Cessna 182T Skylane, N227TF, registered to Top Flight Aviation Inc out of Corona, CA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ridgecrest, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Kern County Airport (IYK/KIYK), Inyokern, California, and was destined to Corona Municipal Airport (AJO/KAJO), Corona, California.
The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances into mountainous terrain and post crash fire."
The airplane had completed 11 flights out of, and back to Corona in the two weeks before the accident, but none of the flights were into Inyokern.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, earlier in the day, at 0921, the airplane departed Corona (KAJO) and landed at KIYK at 1033.
At 1047, the airplane departed runway midfield from runway 33 and entered a climbing left turn to an altitude of 3,100 ft. At 1050, the airplane was seen in a slight descent to 2,700 ft. At about 1052, the airplane was seen in another slight descent before climbing back towards 3,000 ft with a reported groundspeed of 114 knots. At this point, the airplane was approaching a rugged, mountainous area called the El Paso Mountains Wilderness, which has a reported peak elevation of 4,300 ft. At 1054:13, the airplane was seen in a 900 feet per minute (fpm) climb towards 3,500 ft with a groundspeed of 78 knots before the flight track stopped. The general area surrounding the last ADS-B data point showed peak elevations ranging between 3,500-3,800 ft (see figures).
Figure 1: Flightaware data ran through Google Earth, note midfield departure from runway 33 and section marked in red was slight descent to 2,700 ft.
Figure 2: Airplane climbing back to 3,000 ft and approaching El Paso Mountains Wilderness.
Figure 3: Last ADS-B data point showing aircraft at a lower altitude that terrain peaks in the general area.
Figure 4: Other view of flight path.
- Pilot Information:
Unknown. At least one of the two occupants was from a foreign country (Jordan).
- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number 18281826, was manufactured in 2006. It was a high wing, 4-seat, fixed landing gear airplane powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 engine.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane crashed in mountainous terrain and started a canyon fire.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
The 1056 observation at the nearest airport indicated: winds 0 knots, 10 miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft CLR, temperature 28°C, dewpoint 2°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury.
(2) METARs:
METAR KNID 071656Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 26/03 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP154 T02560033 $
METAR KNID 071756Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 28/02 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP146 T02830017 10283 20117 58012 $
(3) Area Forecast Discussion:
149
FXUS66 KHNX 071848
AFDHNX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1148 AM PDT Thu May 7 2026
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Early season heat arrive early next week with expected
temperatures rising to triple-digit values Monday and Tuesday
in the San Joaquin Valley.
2. Moderate Heat Risk expected for the valley areas, with a
medium chance for Major Heat Risk.
3. Practice safety around area lakes, rivers, and streams as
waters are running cold.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
A strong warmup is well on its way for central California as a
ridge of high pressure gradually builds in through the weekend
and into early next week. On Friday, there is a 70 to 80
percent probability for afternoon highs to exceed 90 degrees in
the southern San Joaquin Valley, with similar probabilities on
Saturday. These probabilities increase to 80 to 90 percent on
Sunday for the entire San Joaquin Valley before rising further
to 90 to 100 percent for Monday and Tuesday.
The ridge of high pressure is expected to slowly move over the
Four Corners region Monday and Tuesday, bringing weak south to
southeast flow over central California, becoming the main driver
for these warmer temperatures. On Monday, there is a 70 to 80
percent probability for temepratures to exceed 100 degrees in
the west and south valley areas, then expanding to include the
majority of the San Joaquin Valley.
Weak amounts of moisture moving north across the Sierra Nevada
will result in a 10 to 15 percent chance for thunderstorms along
the crests starting Tuesday afternoon. Should conditions stay
dry at higher elevations, there is a risk for dry lightning in
any storms that may develop along with typical thunderstorm
risks including small hail and gusty and erratic winds.
A slight cooling trend will set up starting next Wednesday as
the aforementioned ridge progresses eastward. However, afternoon
highs through at least Thursday will remain around ten degrees
warmer than season averages.
&&
.AVIATION...
VFR conditions will prevail for the next 24 hours over Central
California.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Warming temperatures through this weekend and early next week will
result in lowering relative humidities across the region.
Beginning Friday, minimum RHs in the Mojave desert will fall
below 20 percent, and below 15 percent on Saturday. For Sunday
through Tuesday, minRHs are expected between 5 and 10 percent in
this area. RHs will fall below 20 percent in the San Joaquin
Valley and Sierra Nevada Friday afternoon and continue at these
values into the weekend. RHs at 15 percent or less are expected
for these areas on Monday and Tuesday, with the Tehachapi Range
and southern Kern Mountains at or below 10 percent. A downtrend
in 100- and 1000-hr dead fuel moistures is anticipated with this
warming trend, however both parameters are expected to remain
above critical thresholds. Additionally, subsidence from the
high pressure ridge will keep winds relatively light across the
region.
&&
.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
None.
&&
.CERTAINTY...
The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high.
The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium.
Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit
www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.html for additional information
and/or to provide feedback.
&&
.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&
$$
public/aviation...McCoy
weather.gov/hanford
- Additional Information:
According to the NTSB's Safety Alert, "Mastering Mountain Flying", training is essential for mountain flying safety...
The problem:
- Pilots with limited or no training in mountain flying can be surprised about their aircraft’s different performance at high density altitude, often leading to serious or fatal accidents.
- Wind and other weather phenomena interacting with mountainous terrain often lead unsuspecting pilots into situations that are beyond their capabilities.
- Should a crash occur, a pilot who survives the crash but does not have emergency or survival gear immediately accessible may not survive the harsh environment until rescuers are able to reach the location.
What can pilots and flight instructors do?
Through training, pilots can develop skills and techniques that will allow them to safely fly in mountainous terrain. When planning flights in mountainous terrain, pilots and flight instructors should do the following to enhance safety:
- Flight instructors should encourage their students to attend a quality mountain flying course before attempting flight in mountainous terrain or at high density altitudes.
- Pilots should consult with local flight instructors before planning a flight into mountainous terrain. Even experienced mountain pilots may not be familiar with local conditions and procedures for safe operations.
- Pilots should be aware that weather interacting with mountainous terrain can cause dangerous wind, severe turbulence, and other conditions that may be unsafe for aircraft, especially light GA aircraft.
- Pilots should consider specialized emergency and survival equipment (such as personal locator beacons in addition to a 406 emergency locator transmitter) before flying in mountainous terrain, and develop a plan for immediate access to the equipment in the event of a postaccident fire.
- FBO staff should be alert for customers who appear to be planning flight into mountainous terrain who could benefit from mountain flying instruction.
