Placerville Airport, Placerville, CA

Airport Location:  The Placerville Airport is located 3 miles east of Placerville, California.

Airport History:

Placerville Airport Today: Obstructions reported; Hills east of the airport; Helicopters operations; Ultralights;


Airport Services & Amenities:  Placerville Aviation; Stancil Aviation; Helipads; Fuel; Air BP Jet, 100LL; Self service; 100LL, Jet, 24 hours;  Public transportation; taxis; rental cars available; Food and lodging within 3 miles;

Special Events and Attractions:  American River Rafting; Coloma State Park; Gold Bug Mine; Wineries; Golf; Sly Park Lake;

Airport Area Accident History:

Accident occurred Saturday, October 17, 2009 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/3/2010
Aircraft: AEROMOT AMT-200(SU, registration: N107MJ
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that during the landing rollout at the private airport, the glider's left wing struck a series of bushes located along the side of the landing runway. After striking the bushes, the glider swerved, exited the runway and came to rest in a ravine located along the right side of the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported that the airplane's wing span is approximately 60-feet and the width of the paved runway is approximately 50-feet, with a 10-foot shoulder on each side of the runway. The pilot reported the bushes were located approximately 900-feet from the landing threshold, were 4-7 feet tall, and 8-12 feet from the pavement edge on neighboring property to the north of his runway. In a written report, he indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider at the time of the accident. Following the accident, the neighboring property owner removed the
bush.
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On June 13, 2009, about 1750 Pacific Daylight time, an amateur built Howard Long EZ experimental airplane, N7999H, was substantially damaged when it collided with a stationary vehicle during landing roll at the Placerville Airport (PVF), Placerville, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Marysville, California at 1715, with an intended destination of PVF.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that during cruise flight, he noticed an unusual yaw and obtained visual assistance from the pilot of another airplane to detect the source of the yaw. The pilot stated that the left winglet was observed "out of alignment." The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 23, a 4,201-foot long and 75-foot wide asphalt runway. While turning final, the pilot noticed that the left rudder was "possibly inoperative." Following an uneventful landing, the pilot applied light pressure to both the left and right brakes. The pilot noted that the left brake was inoperative and the airplane began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane exited the runway onto a parallel taxiway. The pilot stated that the airplane was heading towards a row of stationary airplanes and applied full right rudder/brake to miss the parked aircraft. Subsequently, the airplane impacted an unoccupied stationary vehicle
and came to rest upright.

Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the right wing, fuselage, and left wing were structurally damaged.

Examination of the airplane's flight control and brake system was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The inspector reported that the left and right brake systems are independent of one another. A 14-foot long 8th inch diameter stainless steel cable was routed through the interior area of the fuselage from the rudder pedals to a bellcrank located near the brake master cylinder on the engine firewall. The left and right brake cables were mostly routed independently from the forward cockpit rudder pegs through a stainless steel sleeve, which was embedded within the fuselage fiberglass structure.

The inspector further reported, to allow the cables to be routed through an auxiliary set of rear mounted rudder foot pegs, about 8 inches of each brake cable was exposed underneath the floor of the rear cockpit. Each cable passed through the middle of a neoprene plastic housing, which was an attachment point for the rear foot pegs. The neoprene plastic housing was attached to an aluminum sliding fixture, which was mounted to the interior fuselage structure. A compression sleeve band swaged onto the brake cable allowed the cable to engage the neoprene plastic housing when forward pressure was applied to the rear foot pegs.

The left brake primary cable was disconnected from the bellcrank. The left master cylinder brake unit was actuated manually and functioned normally. The cable, outer casing and general routing were inspected. The inspector noted normal wear and reduction of cable tension on the left brake cable. The left brake cable was reattached to the bellcrank assembly. A small amount of sideways pressure was applied to the brake cable within the exposed area under the rear cockpit floor. The cable compression sleeve contacted the aluminum sliding fixture. Subsequently, normal pressure was applied to the forward left foot peg with restricted forward movement noted.

The inspector added that prior to the accident flight; the airplane was unoccupied and parked at an air show. An unoccupied airplane was blown into the left wing of the accident airplane by a dust devil.
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On October 10, 2008, at 1715 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 210, N7418E, landed hard following a loss of engine power while on approach to runway 23 at the Placerville Airport (PVF), Placerville, California. The private pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed the Corona Municipal Airport (AJO), Corona, California, about 1440, for Placerville. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, he attempted to contact the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for traffic advisories to the airport at 10 miles out, and again at 5 miles out, with no response. Upon arriving at PVF, he overflew the airport at 4,000 feet to check the wind direction. He made a right-hand entry to the traffic pattern for runway 23. On downwind he lowered the gear and set up for landing. He was on a mile final with flaps at 30 degrees and the airspeed at 85 knots. He thought his approach was high about 1/2 mile out, so he initiated a forward slip to lose altitude; he returned to level flight about 200 feet above the ground. The pilot stated that he was still high and close to the runway threshold. He decided to go around and pushed the throttle full in; however, the engine did not respond. He checked the settings, reduced the throttle, and then pushed the throttle in again with no response.

The pilot reported that due to obstacles off the end of the runway, he decided to make a forced landing on the remaining last half of the runway. He told his passenger to brace for a hard landing and then pointed the nose toward the runway. He stated at that point the airplane's altitude was about 50 feet above the ground. When they were about 10 to 15 feet above the ground, he pitched up and landed flat on all three landing gear. The nose landing gear tire popped, and after applying brakes, collapsed. The propeller struck the ground stopping the engine. The pilot lifted his foot off the left brake, and the airplane slid off the runway to the right. The airplane slid about 40 feet before coming to a stop. The pilot noted damage to the front engine cowling, the nose landing gear, and the left wing spar.

A witness to the accident reported that he was standing at the opposite end of the runway when he saw the airplane enter the traffic pattern for runway 23 from the east. The witness indicated that the airplane was landing with a tailwind of about 8 to 10 knots. The airplane appeared to be too high on the approach, and appeared to be in a slip in an effort to lose altitude on final. The witness was able to hear the engine for a short period of time and it did not sound abnormal. From his position, the airplane appeared to touch down about halfway down the runway, and bounced 2 times. The next thing he saw was a large cloud of dust; when it finally cleared he saw the accident airplane’s tail in the air.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at Placerville Aviation. A visual examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks had not been breached during the accident. Maintenance personnel reported that they drained 9.6 gallons of fuel from the left fuel tank, and 15 gallons from the right fuel tank. Visual examination revealed no mechanical anomalies. Maintenance personnel removed the spark plugs, which appeared to be good condition, and fuel was found in the gascolator. An engine ground run was performed; the engine started normally, the magneto check was performed at 1,700 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a normal magneto drop was observed. The engine was then run at full power with no "hesitation or missing experienced."
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Accident occurred Friday, January 11, 2008 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/28/2008
Aircraft: Piper PA-24-250, registration: N7988P
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that shortly after touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway. After exiting the paved runway, the left main and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane received structural damage to the right wing. Examination of the landing gear system revealed that the left main landing gear actuator rod was separated, and that the fracture was consistent with overload; no other anomalies were found. Continuity was established throughout the landing gear system. The landing gear was extended manually and locked in the down position. The landing gear warning light functioned normally when tested. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The collapse of the right main landing gear during landing for undetermined reasons. ===
Accident occurred Tuesday, September 11, 2007 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2007
Aircraft: Mooney M20D, registration: N1229X
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot did not extend the gear prior to landing and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the tubular structure on the underside of the fuselage. The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and was flying it on a cross-country flight. During the flight, the pilot became ill and diverted to a nearby airport. The airplane bounced upon touchdown and the airplane skidded down the runway. The pilot reported to responding police personnel that he forgot to extend the landing gear. Post accident examination of the airplane and landing gear systems by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no mechanical anomalies with the landing gear system. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. A contributing factor was the pilots impaired performance. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, October 14, 2004 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2004
Aircraft: Cessna 182RG, registration: N6071C
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The airplane ran off the departure end of the runway during the landing roll, encountered soft soil, and nosed over. On landing, the airplane floated most of the length of the runway before it finally touched down and then the pilot applied brakes. While the pilot applied a substantial amount of brake pressure, the airplane skidded to the end of the runway, into soft dirt, over an embankment, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's misjudged distance and speed, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway surface and nosing over after encountering soft terrain. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, March 18, 2004 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 1/31/2006
Aircraft: Globe GC-1B, registration: N369BZ
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The airplane collided with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The pilot reported that he had just dropped off a passenger and was repositioning the airplane to another airport. At 200 to 300 feet above ground level (agl) in the takeoff initial climb the engine lost power. He attempted to turn back to the runway but did not have enough altitude. He elected to stall the airplane into the trees on the south slope of the airport boundary. The accident was witnessed by personnel at the airport. The witnesses reported that the pilot was departing using runway 23, the airplane took off and did a steep, almost vertical ascent, and banked hard to the left (south). The pilot appeared to stall the airplane, as it went into the trees on the south side of the runway. The pilot held an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate and was the primary maintainer of the airplane. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident scene and Safety Board investigators later examined the wreckage following recovery. Disassembly of the gascolator revealed that both the upper and lower gaskets in the gascolator were 1/8 to 3/16 inches smaller in diameter than the gascolator canister and the top and bottom covers. The investigators observed that in order to affect a seal, both gaskets had to be centered when installed. Both gaskets were off center. No fuel was observed in the fuel lines and the manifold valve was disassembled and found to be dry and void of any fuel. The manifold valve body and screen were clean. No other discrepancies were found during the engine examination. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: a loss of engine power due to an improperly sized and installed set of sealing gaskets in the gascolator, which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing. ===
Accident occurred Thursday, January 29, 2004 in PLACERVILLE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/28/2004
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-161, registration: N28385
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
While attempting to land, the airplane undershot the runway and collided with terrain short of the runway, shearing off the main landing gear. The student pilot was practicing night flying. While on final approach, the airplane was below the glide path and he attempted a go-around. The airplane's main gear collided with a berm located before the runway. The airplane bounced and the ELT (emergency locator transmitter) became activated. The impact sheered off the left main landing gear and the right main landing gear was still attached, but dangling from the strut. After testing the airplane's controllability, the certified flight instructor (CFI) determined it was in "flyable" condition and elected to return to the airport the flight originated from. He made a normal approach and started his rollout solely on the nose wheel. Although the airplane did not have any brakes, the airplane came to rest about three quarters of the way down the runway. The CFI did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to attain a proper glide path during the final approach and delayed go-around, resulting in an undershoot of the runway. The inadequate supervision of the flight and flight instructor's delayed remedial action was also causal. ===
Accident occurred Monday, December 08, 2003 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/28/2005
Aircraft: Iniziative Industriali Italian Sky Arrow 650 TC, registration: N14XL
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
The airplane entered a stall/mush condition during the takeoff initial climb, descended back to ground impact, veered off the runway, and collided with trees and terrain. A witness saw the airplane taxi to the runway about 0650. The nearest weather reporting station was 20 miles northwest, and at 0630, recorded a temperature of 03 C, the dew point 0 C, with clear sky conditions. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector lives 8 miles from the airport and reported that there was frost on his outdoor furniture that morning. Another pilot stopped by the airport around 0510, and noted that the top of the wings of his airplane and others had frost and ice on them. The first responder to the accident reported that large water droplets covered the tops of the wing. The wreckage was located approximately 1,450 feet down the runway and 140 feet to the south on downhill sloping terrain. Approximately 1,250 feet down the runway, a 21-foot-long ground scar resembling tire tracks was located on a grass shoulder area on the south side off the runway. The track was angled away from the runway and ran in a direction pointing towards the airplane wreckage. The tracks originated about the middle of a grass shoulder area that parallels the runway. Between and forward of two narrow parallel tracks was an elongated and much wider area of disturbed earth that approximated the dimensions of the aircraft's nose. Examination of the wreckage found no evidence of a preimpact malfunction or failure of the control system or power plant. Following recovery of the wreckage, the engine was test run successfully while still installed in the airframe. Using the airplane flight manual the takeoff ground roll under the accident ambient conditions was calculated as 912 feet and the distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle was 1,556 feet. The normal takeoff flap configuration, as described in the Flight Manual, is the 10-degree setting. The flaps were found in the retracted position with the cockpit control in a matching setting. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to fully remove an accumulation of ice and frost on the wings, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to correctly configure the flaps for takeoff. ===
Accident occurred Friday, June 07, 2002 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/29/2004
Aircraft: Mooney M20E, registration: N1285X
Injuries: 1 Serious.
About 6 miles from the pilot's home airport, all engine power was lost. The airplane impacted trees during its approach to a landing. A witness reported observing the airplane glide in very quietly with its propeller barely turning "as if only from the wind." The witness indicated that the airplane "skipped off the ground once, as if trying to land, and then lifted back into the air again." Thereafter, the airplane came back down and crashed into a grove of trees. The accident site was about 6 miles from the pilot's destination airport. No evidence of fuel spillage was noted on the ground around the crashed airplane. Between 10 and 15 drops of fuel were found in fuel lines. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions was observed during the engine examination. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: A loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to fuel exhaustion. ===
Accident occurred Friday, August 17, 2001 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/21/2002
Aircraft: JOHNSON LANCAIR 360, registration: N417DJ
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
The airplane dove into a residential property adjacent to the pilot's residence in near-vertical flight. Neighbors believed the pilot intended to fly over his home to alert his wife prior to landing at the nearby airport. The neighbor, in whose front yard the airplane crashed, reported there was a brief whining sound before the crash. When he opened the front door, the wreckage was in his front yard within a few feet of the house. He said there are trees surrounding the location, and the fact that the plane didn't hit any of them told him it had to have come nearly straight down and narrowly missed his house. The wreckage was scattered in a fan-shaped pattern over about 200 feet to the northwest. The engine was embedded into the (very hard) ground about 10 inches in a near-vertical attitude and with the propeller attached. Examination of the wreckage at an impound facility did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical failure; however, the flight control cables were severed at several locations and it was not possible to determine if the entire aircraft was present due to extensive fracturing of the composite structure. There was no fire. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: In-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. ===
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 24, 2001 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/25/2003
Aircraft: Cessna 172M, registration: N8962V
Injuries: 1 Minor.
Upon reaching the destination airport on a dark, nighttime cross-country flight, the pilot's approach was too high and fast, so he performed a go-around. On his second approach, the pilot was also too high, but the airplane touched down on the 4,200-foot-long runway. Concerned about being able to stop before reaching the runway's departure end, the pilot added full engine power and tried to go around. The engine power increased normally. During the initial climb out, the pilot experienced difficulty controlling the airplane. Contrary to Cessna's published recommended balked landing procedure, the pilot failed to retract the wing flaps from their 40-degrees setting. The airspeed was slow, the airplane stalled, and it impacted trees and terrain. About 1.5 months earlier, the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate. The accident occurred during the pilot's first, solo, night cross-country flight, and his total pilot-in-command night experience was 1.5 hours. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: Inadequate airspeed during climb out following an aborted landing that was precipitated by the pilot's misjudged speed/distance on final approach. Also, contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in the type of operation, his failure to properly configure the airplane's flaps for the go-around, and the dark nighttime condition. ===
Accident occurred Monday, January 01, 2001 in Placerville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/6/2001
Aircraft: Wallace Rotorway EXEC 152, registration: N94LW
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The student pilot finished building the helicopter and this was its first flight. He had received 11 hours of flight instruction and was endorsed for hover only solo. The pilot reported that he was 1-2 feet in the air and as he began backing the helicopter the tail rotor guard struck the ground, the main rotor struck the tail boom, and the left skid struck the ground. The skid collapsed and the helicopter rolled over. After exiting, the pilot attempted to right the helicopter, but fuel leaking from the fuel cap ignited when it contacted the exhaust. The helicopter was destroyed in the subsequent fire. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The failure of the student pilot to maintain adequate ground clearance while hovering. Airport Approach / Landing: