Accidents
Citation Crash Kills Six in California
A Cessna Citation crashed early on Saturday morning, killing all on board, while flying a second non-precision approach in early morning fog.
Cessna Citation II on airport ramp prior to crash
A Cessna Citation II crashed early on Saturday morning, killing all on board, while flying a second non-precision approach in early morning fog. (Photo: FlightAware)

The NTSB is investigating after a 1979 Cessna Citation II crashed on approach to French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California, (F70) early Saturday morning, killing all aboard. The aircraft crashed 500 feet short of 6,000-foot Runway 18 at 4:15 a.m. local time while flying a second nonprecision RNAV (GPS) instrument approach with vertical guidance into the nontowered airport in conditions described by local law enforcement as “heavy fog.” 

According to the National Weather Service, F70 weather at the time of the accident was half-mile visibility in fog and 300-foot overcast. The LPV decision altitude for the RNAV (GPS) approach is 300 feet, with minimum 7/8-mile visibility. Until 3:35 a.m., when mist, 3/4-mile visibility, and 300-foot overcast were reported, the weather was clear with 10-mile visibility.

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