N2501X

On October 12, 1996, at 0323 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N2501X, collided with some power transmission wires about 1.5 mile south of Montgomery Field airport, San Diego, California. The airplane was operated by Plus One Flyers, Inc., a flying club, at Montgomery Field. The airplane was taken without permission by the student pilot, a former club member. The airplane was destroyed. The student pilot and his passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Montgomery Field about 0045. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the flying club, the airplane was stolen and a report was filed with the San Diego Police Department. Police investigation revealed that the student had taken the airplane after attending a party where he met his passenger.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who examined the accident site and the aircraft, the airplane's hobbs meter indicated the pilot had flown 2.7 hours before hitting the wires. The high tension power lines contacted by the aircraft are strung diagonally across a major city freeway and are about 75 feet above the pavement and about 1.5 miles from the airport. The visibility in the accident area was obscured by fog.

California Highway Patrol technicians drew blood from the pilot after he had been transported to the hospital. According to the test results from the CHP, the pilot's blood-alcohol level was 0.08 mg/dl.

Review of the student pilot's application for a medical certificate and student pilot certificate reveal his total pilot time on July 14, 1995, was 64 hours.