Lockheed P-3 Orion crash, Apr 20, 2005 (3 killed), Chico
Lockheed P-3 Orion accident on April 20, 2005 near Chico, California, United States with 3 fatalities. Cause: Terrain clearance was not maintained...
- Date: April 20, 2005
- Aircraft: Lockheed P-3 Orion
- Location: Chico, California, United States
- Fatalities: 3
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Terrain clearance was not maintained while manoeuvring for reasons the NTSB could not determine. Mountainous terrain was a factor, and no mechanical defect was found.
A P-3 air tanker on a pilot-qualification training flight near Chico made practice water drops in a valley in mountainous terrain. The aircraft turned left toward rising ground, struck the terrain and burned. All three crew members died.