Reno Flying Service

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

The flight conditions for the air ambulance trip consisted of a clear, moonless, dark night and the destination airport was in a mountain valley with the only ground reference lights the town adjacent to the airport. Witnesses saw the aircraft overfly the town and airport at pattern altitude then head out over the lake north of the airport. About 1 mile from the runway, the aircraft was seen to suddenly pitch up, roll inverted and dive straight down into the lake (Bridgeport Reservoir). The aircraft was heading away from the only ground reference lights and was over a reflective body of water near the base turn point when the accident occurred. Witnesses heard increased eng/prop noise before impact. Wreckage revealed evidence of power at impact. The shifts for the pilots in the operation consisted of 4 days on, 2 days off, with alternating day and night shifts. The pilot was on the 4th night of the current shift cycle and was also giving flight instruction during the days. Both occupants, a pilot and a nurse, were killed.