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Re VFR into IFR.......5 souls 3 kids 1 family
ATC searches for a missing VFR Saratoga with five aboard during severe winter weather conditions.
Summary
Controllers at Bakersfield and LA Center attempt to locate N36402, a Piper Saratoga, which disappeared after encountering heavy precipitation and icing. Multiple pilots are requested to monitor the emergency frequency for an ELT signal as weather conditions deteriorate to near-zero visibility. The recording captures the somber efforts of ATC to find the aircraft, which was carrying a family of five.
Analysis
This recording documents a "VFR into IMC" (Visual Flight Rules into Instrument Meteorological Conditions) emergency, one of the most dangerous scenarios in general aviation. N36402, a Piper Saratoga, was flying from San Jose to Henderson, Nevada, with a family of five on board. The pilot, who was not on an instrument flight plan, encountered a powerful winter storm system over Central California. The transcript captures the period when ATC realized the aircraft was missing and began coordinating a search via radio.
The technical "spiciness" of this recording lies in the atmospheric data provided by other pilots. While ATC repeatedly calls for N36402, they are simultaneously receiving reports of "moderate to heavy precipitation," "light rime ice," and ceilings as low as 200 feet. For a pilot flying VFR (relying on seeing the horizon), entering a cloud deck with these conditions leads to rapid spatial disorientation and airframe icing, which can be fatal within minutes.
A key procedural element shown here is the use of "Guard" (121.5 MHz). ATC asks several commercial and private aircraft, including Citation jets and King Airs, to monitor this frequency for an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal. An ELT is designed to trigger upon a high-G impact. The silence on Guard reported by the other pilots in this transcript adds to the mounting dread of the situation.
The recording also highlights the professionalism of the controllers. Despite the high-stakes search for the Saratoga, they continue to provide precise vectors and weather warnings to other flights, such as 15 Papa-Golf, who barely manages to land at Bakersfield "right at minimums." This contrast between the aircraft successfully navigating the IFR environment and the silent Saratoga illustrates the critical importance of instrument ratings and weather planning.
The incident ended tragically; N36402 crashed in an orchard southwest of Bakersfield. There were no survivors. The NTSB later determined the cause was the pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, leading to spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
ATC
November 36402, contact Bakersfield Approach, 118.8. November 36402, Bakersfield Tower, do you hear this transmission? 402, if you hear LA Center, ident.
04 Delta, I have some revision to your routing when you're ready to copy.
ATC
Plane 36402, switch over to the Bakersfield approach controllers on frequency 118.8. Plane 36402, this is Bakersfield Tower, do you hear me? 402, if you can hear the Los Angeles controllers, press your signal button so we can identify you on radar.
Plane 04 Delta, I have some changes to your flight path when you’re ready to write them down.
PILOT_04D
Ready to copy, 04 Delta.
PILOT_04D
I’m ready for those changes, 04 Delta.
ATC
November 04 Delta, just to verify, your landing is March Air Force Base?
ATC
Plane 04 Delta, just to confirm, are you planning to land at March Air Force Base?
PILOT_04D
Affirmative, 04 Delta.
PILOT_04D
That’s correct, 04 Delta.
ATC
November 04 Delta, there's quite a bit of weather over the Lake Hughes area. You're cleared direct Palmdale, Papa-Mike-Delta, and the March 4 arrival to March Air Force Base.
ATC
Plane 04 Delta, there’s some bad weather over the Lake Hughes area. You’re cleared to fly straight to the Palmdale navigation point, and then follow the standard arrival path into March Air Force Base.
PILOT_04D
Cleared direct Palmdale and the March 4 arrival, 2304 Delta.
PILOT_04D
Authorized straight to Palmdale and then the standard arrival path, 04 Delta.
ATC
Compass 4850, LA Center, climb and maintain flight level 230 and resume normal speed. 2 Fox-Echo, any chance you can do me a favor?
ATC
Compass 4850, this is LA Center, climb up to 23,000 feet and you can resume your normal speed. Plane 2 Fox-Echo, any chance you can do me a favor?
PILOT_2FE
A little busy right now. What question did you have for us, 2 Fox-Echo?
PILOT_2FE
We're a little busy in the cockpit right now. What did you need to ask us, 2 Fox-Echo?
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, could I get you to monitor Guard on 121.5 and let me know if you hear any ELT?
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, could you listen in on the emergency frequency, 121.5, and let me know if you hear a signal from a crash-locator beacon?
PILOT_2FE
Roger, I can't pick anything up on Guard, even with the squelch open.
PILOT_2FE
Understood, I’m not hearing anything on the emergency channel, even with the background noise filter turned off.
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, Roger. Thank you, sir. 1 Whiskey Golf Fox-Delta, the Burbank altimeter is 29.92. Light rime ice reported all the way north. 2 Fox-Echo, did you have any turbulence or icing coming up the mountain?
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, understood. Thank you. Plane Fox-Delta, the Burbank air pressure setting for your altitude gauge is 29.92. Pilots are reporting light ice building up on wings all the way north. 2 Fox-Echo, did you run into any turbulence or icing coming over the mountain?
PILOT_2FE
We had some light to moderate rime ice and turbulence about 15 miles back. We're in a smooth ride right now.
PILOT_2FE
We hit some light to medium icing and some bumps about 15 miles back. It’s a smooth ride for us right now.
ATC
And was the moderate rime when you were at 10,000, sir?
ATC
And was that heavier icing happening while you were at 10,000 feet?
PILOT_2FE
Yes.
PILOT_2FE
Yes, it was.
ATC
Thank you. 1 Whiskey Tango, Roger, climb and maintain 15,000. 1 Whiskey Tango, traffic right now, 2 o'clock, about 3 miles, northbound at 16,000. Looking for a King Air. Light rime has been reported below flight level 190. I'll have the airport in two minutes. 1 Whiskey Golf Fox-Delta, traffic 9 o'clock, 1 mile, northeastbound, climbing to 15,000, is a Global.
ATC
Thank you. Plane Whiskey Tango, understood, climb and stay at 15,000 feet. Whiskey Tango, watch for another plane at your 2 o'clock position, about 3 miles away, flying north at 16,000 feet—it's a King Air. Light wing-ice has been reported below 19,000 feet. I'll have the airport info for you in two minutes. Plane Fox-Delta, watch for traffic off your left side, 1 mile away, heading northeast and climbing to 15,000—it's a Global jet.
PILOT_1WG
Golf Fox-Delta, Roger.
PILOT_1WG
Golf Fox-Delta, understood.
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, thanks for your help today. Contact approach on 118.9. Good day. 2 Fox-Echo, contact approach on 118.9.
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, thanks for your help today. Switch over to the approach controllers on frequency 118.9. Have a good one. 2 Fox-Echo, contact approach on 118.9.
PILOT_2FE
118.9, thanks.
PILOT_2FE
Switching to 118.9, thanks.
ATC
Golf Fox-Delta now has you in sight, maintaining a visual climb. He’s off your right side, 2 miles, eastbound.
ATC
Golf Fox-Delta has you in sight now and is climbing while keeping you in view. He’s about two miles off to your right side, heading east.
PILOT_1WG
Okay, we're IMC, so Golf Fox-Delta, thanks.
PILOT_1WG
Okay, we’re flying in the clouds by our instruments right now, so Golf Fox-Delta, thanks for the heads up.
ATC
Southwest 2979, normal speed, LA Center, 128.37. 2304 Delta, contact LA Center, 132.5.
ATC
Southwest 2979, continue at your normal speed and contact Los Angeles Center on 128.37. 2304 Delta, contact Los Angeles Center on 132.5.
PILOT_04D
132.5, 04 Delta.
PILOT_04D
Over to 132.5, 04 Delta.
PILOT_2FE
5,000 available for 2 Fox-Echo.
PILOT_2FE
2 Fox-Echo is available to take 5,000 feet if you have the room.
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, you can expect 6,000. But for now, descend and maintain 6,500. You can expect the final with us at 6,000, but once I hand you off to Fresno, you can ask for lower and they should be able to get that to you.
8 Echo-Lima, just be advised, Oakland Center reported icing levels last reported about 9,000 to 13,000. A Citation reported light rime.
ATC
2 Fox-Echo, you can expect to get down to 6,000 feet eventually. But for now, descend and stay at 6,500. We’ll keep you at 6,000 for the final stretch with us, but once I hand you off to Fresno, you can ask them for a lower altitude and they should be able to give that to you.
8 Echo-Lima, just a heads up, Oakland Center is reporting ice forming on planes between 9,000 and 13,000 feet. A Citation jet reported a light coating of milky ice.
PILOT_8EL
Okay, understand light rime, 9,000 to 13,000. And where was that through the pass?
PILOT_8EL
Okay, I copy the light icing between 9,000 and 13,000 feet. And where exactly was that—was it while going through the mountain pass?
ATC
In the southeast, about 15 miles. 8 Echo-Lima, contact departure.
ATC
It was about 15 miles to the southeast. 8 Echo-Lima, switch over to the departure controllers now.
PILOT_8EL
Bakersfield Departure, 8 Echo-Lima through 1,300 for 6,000.
PILOT_8EL
Bakersfield Departure, this is 8 Echo-Lima. We’re climbing through 1,300 feet on our way up to 6,000.
ATC
8 Echo-Lima, Bakersfield Departure, radar contact. Turn left heading 180. 1 Whiskey Golf Fox-Delta, descend and maintain 14,000. Burbank altimeter 29.92.
ATC
8 Echo-Lima, this is Bakersfield Departure, I have you on my radar. Turn left to a heading of due south. 1 Whiskey Golf Fox-Delta, descend and stay at 14,000 feet. The barometric pressure for your altitude gauge in Burbank is 29.92.
PILOT_1WG
14,000, Golf Fox-Delta.
PILOT_1WG
Down to 14,000, Golf Fox-Delta.
ATC
3 Golf Fox-Delta, have you encountered any icing in the past few minutes?
ATC
3 Golf Fox-Delta, have you run into any ice on your wings in the last few minutes?
PILOT_1WG
No, we're just getting a little bit of frost on the leading edge.
PILOT_1WG
No, we're just seeing a little bit of frost building up on the front edges of our wings.
ATC
Roger. 8 Echo-Lima, are you able to hear an ELT from your position on 121.5?
ATC
Understood. 8 Echo-Lima, are you able to hear an emergency distress beacon from where you are on the emergency radio frequency?
PILOT_8EL
Standby, I'll check.
PILOT_8EL
Hold on a second, I'll check that for you.
ATC
3 Golf Fox-Delta, we're looking for an aircraft from earlier. Could you monitor 121.5 just for a minute to see if you hear an ELT?
ATC
3 Golf Fox-Delta, we're trying to find a plane we lost track of earlier. Could you listen to the emergency channel for a minute to see if you hear a distress signal?
PILOT_1WG
Yes, sir.
PILOT_1WG
Yes, sir, I can do that.
PILOT_8EL
Nothing going on on 121.5.
PILOT_8EL
I'm not hearing anything at all on the emergency frequency.
ATC
3 Golf Fox-Delta, thank you for the help. Cross PESTO at or above 3,000, cleared ILS runway 30 approach.
ATC
3 Golf Fox-Delta, thanks for the help. Stay at or above 3,000 feet when you pass the PESTO waypoint, and you're cleared to start your instrument landing for runway 30.
PILOT_1WG
Cross PESTO at or above 3,000, cleared for the ILS 30 approach, 1 Whiskey Golf Fox-Delta.
PILOT_1WG
Stay at or above 3,000 feet at PESTO, cleared for the instrument landing on runway 30, 1 Whiskey Golf Fox-Delta.
ATC
Moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way down to the Orange County area.
ATC
There is moderate to heavy rain and snow stretching all the way down to the Orange County area.
PILOT_5FM
Understand. And looks like the tops are going to be about 14,500.
PILOT_5FM
Got it. And it looks like we'll be clear of the clouds once we get above 14,500 feet.
ATC
Roger, thanks for the report. 5 Fox-Mike, deviation right of course approved. Cleared to Lake Hughes when able, then advise. 378, you're in an area of moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way to Gorman. Light rime has been reported below flight level 190.
ATC
Copy that, thanks for the update. 5 Fox-Mike, you're clear to steer right of your path to avoid the weather. Head toward the Lake Hughes area when you can, then let me know. 378, you're in some heavy rain and snow that goes all the way to Gorman. Other pilots have reported light ice forming on their planes below 19,000 feet.
PILOT_1AD
We're just breaking up at the tops here at 12,500 to 13,000.
PILOT_1AD
We're just starting to break out of the top of the clouds here between 12,500 and 13,000 feet.
ATC
Thank you.
ATC
Thank you for that report.
PILOT_1AD
I already forgot the frequency for LA.
PILOT_1AD
I've already forgotten which radio channel I'm supposed to use for the Los Angeles controllers.
ATC
Contact Los Angeles Center on 127.1 for Citation 1 Alpha-Delta.
ATC
Switch over and talk to Los Angeles Center on frequency 127.1, Citation 1 Alpha-Delta.
PILOT_1AD
27.1, 1 Alpha-Delta. 1 Alpha-Delta, level 13,000.
PILOT_1AD
Switching to frequency 127.1, this is 1 Alpha-Delta. We are leveled off at 13,000 feet.
ATC
Citation 501 Alpha-Delta, climb and maintain 17,000. The Burbank altimeter is 29.92.
ATC
Citation 501 Alpha-Delta, go ahead and climb up to 17,000 feet. The current barometric pressure for your altitude setting in Burbank is 29.92.
PILOT_1AD
17,000, 1 Alpha-Delta.
PILOT_1AD
Climbing to 17,000 feet, 1 Alpha-Delta.
ATC
1 Alpha-Delta, light rime has been reported at flight level 190 and below. You're in an area of moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way past the Los Angeles area. JetBlue 348, normal speed, LA Center, 128.37. 1 Alpha-Delta, did you hear anything?
ATC
1 Alpha-Delta, pilots are reporting light ice forming on wings at 19,000 feet and below. You're in an area of moderate to heavy rain and clouds that stretches past Los Angeles. JetBlue 348, resume normal speed and contact LA Center on 128.37. 1 Alpha-Delta, did you hear an emergency beacon?
PILOT_1AD
1 Alpha-Delta has been listening. We hear nothing.
PILOT_1AD
1 Alpha-Delta has been monitoring the emergency frequency. We don't hear anything out there.
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, for the next 70 miles, can you tune to 121.5 every few minutes and check for an ELT?
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, for the next 70 miles, could you tune your radio to the emergency channel every few minutes and listen for a crash locator beacon?
PILOT_25LL
Wilco, 25 Lima-Lima.
PILOT_25LL
We'll do that, 25 Lima-Lima.
PILOT_23ER
Bakersfield Tower, 23 Echo-Romeo.
PILOT_23ER
Bakersfield Tower, this is 23 Echo-Romeo checking in.
ATC
23 Echo-Romeo, Bakersfield Tower. Winds 260 at 6, runway 30 Right, cleared to land.
ATC
23 Echo-Romeo, Bakersfield Tower. The wind is coming from the west at 6 knots, and you're cleared to land on runway 30 Right.
PILOT_23ER
30 Right, cleared to land. What do you show for conditions now?
PILOT_23ER
Cleared to land on 30 Right. What are you seeing for the weather conditions right now?
ATC
23 Echo-Romeo, we're just changing now. Visibility is dropping to 2 miles in light rain and mist. Ceiling 1,500 broken.
ATC
23 Echo-Romeo, the weather is shifting as we speak. Visibility is dropping to 2 miles in light rain and mist, with a broken layer of clouds at 1,500 feet.
PILOT_23ER
Roger.
PILOT_23ER
Understood.
PILOT_15PG
Bakersfield Approach, Citation 15 Papa-Golf, 7,000.
PILOT_15PG
Bakersfield Approach, this is Citation 15 Papa-Golf, currently at 7,000 feet.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, light rime reported flight level 190 and below. You're entering an area of moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way to Bakersfield.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, be advised that light ice has been reported at 19,000 feet and below. You’re entering an area of heavy rain and clouds that goes all the way to Bakersfield.
PILOT_15PG
All right, we'll keep our eye out for it, 15 Papa-Golf.
PILOT_15PG
All right, we'll keep a sharp eye out for that, 15 Papa-Golf.
ATC
Compass 3937, descend and maintain 14,000. Burbank altimeter 29.92.
ATC
Compass 3937, go ahead and drop down to 14,000 feet and stay there. The barometric pressure for your altitude reading in Burbank is 29.92.
PILOT_C3937
14,000, Compass 3937.
PILOT_C3937
Down to 14,000, Compass 3937.
ATC
Compass 3937, if I didn't tell you already, there's a lot of weather. You're entering an area of moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way to Fresno. Light rime ice has been reported at flight level 190 and below. Contact Oakland Center, 123.8. Good day.
ATC
Compass 3937, in case I didn't mention it, there's a lot of nasty weather ahead. You’re heading into an area of moderate to heavy rain that stretches all the way to Fresno. Other pilots have seen light ice forming on their wings at 19,000 feet and lower. Switch over to the Oakland controllers on 123.8. Have a good one.
PILOT_C3937
123.8, Compass 3937. Good day.
PILOT_C3937
Switching to 123.8, Compass 3937. Take care.
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, I'm showing another area of moderate precipitation at your 12 o'clock, beginning in about 5 miles. You still above everything?
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, my radar shows more moderate rain directly in front of you, starting in about 5 miles. Are you still flying high enough to stay above the clouds?
PILOT_25LL
There's one cell just to our left that extends up to about 17,500.
PILOT_25LL
There’s one storm cloud just to our left that reaches up to about 17,500 feet.
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, right now is probably the time I need you to switch to 121.5 and check for an ELT for the next 8 or 10 miles.
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, now is probably a good time to tune into the emergency frequency on 121.5 and listen for a downed plane's distress beacon for the next 8 or 10 miles.
PILOT_25LL
Wilco. Haven't heard anything up to this point.
PILOT_25LL
Will do. I haven't heard any emergency signals so far.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, contact Bakersfield Approach, 118.8.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, get in touch with the Bakersfield arrival controllers on 118.8.
PILOT_15PG
118.8, expect the ILS, 15 Papa-Golf.
PILOT_15PG
118.8, and we're planning on using the instrument landing system to find the runway, 15 Papa-Golf.
ATC
Light rime icing reported flight level 190 and below. There's extreme precipitation off to your right. Can you give me a tops report of that one?
ATC
There's reports of light ice forming on planes at 19,000 feet and below. You’ve got some really heavy rain off to your right—can you tell me how high the top of those clouds are?
PILOT_15PG
15 Papa-Golf, just updated information on the weather. We're currently showing 1 1/2 miles mist at the field. Ceiling 400 broken, 1,500 broken, 2,500 overcast. RVR showing touchdown 5,500, midpoint greater than 6,000, and rollout greater than 6,000.
PILOT_15PG
15 Papa-Golf, I’ve got the latest weather update. Visibility is only a mile and a half with mist at the airport. Clouds are patchy at 400 and 1,500 feet, with a solid layer at 2,500. The runway visibility sensors show 5,500 feet where we touch down, and over 6,000 feet for the rest of the runway.
PILOT_15PG
15 Papa-Golf, thank you.
PILOT_15PG
15 Papa-Golf, thanks.
ATC
51 Whiskey, Roger. You're in an area of moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way past Palmdale. Contact LA Center on 132.5. Good day.
Attention all aircraft: information Victor is now current. Winds 260 at 6, altimeter 29.98. Visibility 1 1/4, ceiling 400 broken, mist. Ceiling 200 broken, 1,500 overcast.
25 Lima-Lima, anything?
ATC
51 Whiskey, understood. You’re flying through moderate to heavy rain that goes all the way past Palmdale. Switch to the Los Angeles controllers on 132.5. Good day. Attention everyone: the latest airport weather update is now "Victor." Winds are coming from the west at 6 knots, and the pressure setting is 29.98. Visibility is a mile and a quarter with mist, and clouds are patchy at 200 and 400 feet with a solid layer at 1,500. 25 Lima-Lima, did you hear that emergency beacon?
PILOT_25LL
Negative, it's been completely quiet the entire time.
PILOT_25LL
No, sir, it’s been totally silent on the emergency channel this whole time.
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, cross 5 miles south of Lake Hughes at or maintain 11,000. The Burbank altimeter is 29.92. I believe the tops are 17,000 south of Lake Hughes, and like, extreme precipitation in that area.
ATC
25 Lima-Lima, cross five miles south of Lake Hughes while staying at 11,000 feet. The local pressure for your altitude gauge is 29.92. I think you'll be above the clouds at 17,000 feet south of Lake Hughes, but there’s some really heavy rain in that area.
PILOT_25LL
Roger, was that 5 this side or the other side of Lake Hughes?
PILOT_25LL
Got it, was that five miles on this side or the far side of Lake Hughes?
ATC
5 on the other side.
ATC
Five miles on the far side.
PILOT_25LL
Roger, 5 on the other side of Lake Hughes, at 11,000, 25 Lima-Lima.
PILOT_25LL
Roger, five miles past Lake Hughes at 11,000 feet, 25 Lima-Lima.
PILOT_15PG
Bakersfield Tower, Citation 15 Papa-Golf, 3-mile final.
PILOT_15PG
Bakersfield Tower, this is Citation 15 Papa-Golf, we’re on our final approach about three miles out.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, winds 250 at 4, runway 30 Right, cleared to land.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, winds are from the west at 4 knots, you’re cleared to land on runway 30 Right.
PILOT_15PG
30 Right, cleared to land, 15 Papa-Golf. Have you got the lights up all the way?
PILOT_15PG
30 Right, cleared to land, 15 Papa-Golf. Do you have the runway lights turned all the way up?
ATC
Do you want me to turn them up all the way?
ATC
Would you like me to turn them up to full brightness?
PILOT_15PG
Please. They're up all the way now. Citation 15 Papa-Golf, we got the airport right at minimums.
PILOT_15PG
Please. Oh, they’re at full power now. Citation 15 Papa-Golf, we just spotted the airport right at our minimum descent altitude.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, Roger. Confirm back down now.
ATC
15 Papa-Golf, copied. Confirming you want them back down now?
PILOT_15PG
Yeah, we needed them up, but they're a little bright now that we're right next to them.
PILOT_15PG
Yeah, we needed them bright to see, but they’re a bit much now that we’re right on top of them.
ATC
Understandable. 15 Papa-Golf, report off the runway and contact ground on 121.7 when you're off.
ATC
Makes sense. 15 Papa-Golf, let me know when you've exited the runway and then switch to the ground taxi frequency on 121.7.
PILOT_15PG
All right, we're clearing the runway now at Kilo. We'll go to ground, 15 Papa-Golf.
PILOT_15PG
All right, we’re pulling off the runway now at taxiway Kilo. Moving to the ground frequency, 15 Papa-Golf.
ATC
Attention all aircraft: information Whiskey now current. Winds 260 at 6, altimeter 29.99. Visibility now 1 1/2, mist, ceiling 200 overcast. Current field conditions: ceiling 200 overcast, visibility 1 3/4 miles, mist.
Saratoga 36402, Bakersfield Approach. Saratoga 36402, Bakersfield Approach. Saratoga 36402, contact Bakersfield Approach 126.45. 36402, is that you?
I believe your tops are down by 11,500 or something like that. We haven't been getting light rime reported flight level 190 and below, but that weather system has moved off to the east, so I haven't had any reports recently.
King Air 8 Juliet-Victor, proceed direct Fellow.
ATC
Attention all aircraft: weather update Whiskey is now current. Winds are from the west at 6 knots, pressure is 29.99. Visibility is a mile and a half in mist, with a solid cloud deck at 200 feet. Current airport conditions: 200-foot ceiling, visibility one and three-quarters miles in mist. Saratoga 36402, Bakersfield Approach. Saratoga 36402, Bakersfield Approach. Saratoga 36402, switch to Bakersfield Approach on 126.45. 36402, are you there? I think you’ll be clear of the clouds by 11,500 feet or so. We haven’t had any reports of light icing at 19,000 feet and below, but that weather system has moved east, so I haven't had any recent reports. King Air 8 Juliet-Victor, fly straight to the Fellow waypoint.
PILOT_8JV
Direct Fellow, 8 Juliet-Victor.
PILOT_8JV
Flying straight to Fellow, 8 Juliet-Victor.
ATC
8 Juliet-Victor, could you monitor 121.5 and let me know if you hear an ELT in the next 10 miles or so?
ATC
8 Juliet-Victor, could you listen in on the emergency frequency and let me know if you pick up a distress beacon signal over the next 10 miles or so?
PILOT_8JV
We will, 8 Juliet-Victor.
PILOT_8JV
We’ll keep an ear out for it, 8 Juliet-Victor.
ATC
And 8 Juliet-Victor, you're in an area of moderate to heavy precipitation extending all the way past Palmdale. Tops, I believe, are flight level 210. Light rime reported 190 and below. Contact LA Center on 132.5. Good day.
8 Juliet-Victor, any icing in your climb so far?
ATC
And 8 Juliet-Victor, you’re in an area of moderate to heavy rain and snow that stretches all the way past Palmdale. The clouds seem to top out at 21,000 feet, and other pilots reported a thin layer of ice forming at 19,000 feet and below. Switch over to Los Angeles controllers on 132.5. Have a good one. Oh, and 8 Juliet-Victor, have you seen any ice on your climb so far?
PILOT_8JV
Negative, 8 Juliet-Victor. Anything on the ELT, sir? Negative for Juliet-Victor.
PILOT_8JV
No ice here, 8 Juliet-Victor. And as for that emergency beacon? We’re not hearing anything yet.
ATC
8 Juliet-Victor, thank you for the help. Contact LA Center on 119.05. Have a good day.
ATC
8 Juliet-Victor, thanks for the help. Contact Los Angeles Center on 119.05. Have a safe flight.
PILOT_8JV
Anytime. Over to LA Center 119.05, 8 Juliet-Victor.
PILOT_8JV
Happy to help. Switching to LA Center on 119.05, 8 Juliet-Victor.
ATC
77 X-ray, climb and maintain flight level 220. You're entering an area of moderate to heavy precipitation at 1 to 2 o'clock, about 30 miles, and 20 miles in diameter, moving northeastbound. Tops reported about flight level 210. Direct DAGGET should keep you clear of the majority of that, but you're still close to the northern corner.
ATC
77 X-ray, climb and stay at 22,000 feet. You’re heading into some heavy rain or snow about 30 miles ahead and just to your right. It’s a storm about 20 miles wide moving northeast. The clouds go up to 21,000 feet. Flying straight toward the Dagget navigation point should keep you away from most of it, but you'll still be brushing the northern edge.
PILOT_77X
Roger, thank you very much, 77 X-ray.
PILOT_77X
Got it, thanks for the help, 77 X-ray.
ATC
77 X-ray, I didn't realize the restricted airspace had gone hot. You're cleared direct Palmdale, direct DAGGET. Sorry again.
ATC
77 X-ray, I didn't realize that restricted military airspace ahead had just become active. You're cleared to fly straight to Palmdale and then straight to the Dagget waypoint to stay clear. Sorry about that.
PILOT_77X
Cleared direct Palmdale and DAGGET, 77 X-ray.
PILOT_77X
Straight to Palmdale and then Dagget, 77 X-ray.
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