# Accident 20250831020989A: Piper PA-28R-200, Alta, UT, August 31, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 31, 2025, 17:30 local time
- Place: Alta, UT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.5896° N, 111.6202° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5896&lon=-111.6202&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1147X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1147X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28R-200 (registry code 7102811, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA269) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250831020989A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE LAST FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM A FUEL STOP AT BOLINDER FIELD IN TOOELE, UTAH. AFTER TAKING OFF FROM TOOELE, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW THROUGH THE SALT LAKE VALLEY AND ENTERED LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON AT AN ELEVATION OF 8,000 FEET, AS REPORTED BY ADS-B DATA. THE ADS-B DATA CEASED ONCE THE AIRCRAFT PROGRESSED FURTHER INTO THE CANYON. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE CANYON'S SUMMIT WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHILE IT NAVIGATED THE BOWL AT THE CANYON'S TOP. DURING A GRADUAL LEFT-HAND TURN, THE MANEUVER BECAME MORE AGGRESSIVE, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO LOSE ALTITUDE ABRUPTLY AND COLLIDE WITH A TREE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SPIN AROUND, AND THE RIGHT WING DETACHED AS IT CONTACTED THE GROUND, COMING TO REST UPHILL FROM THE TREE'S IMPACT SITE. THE ENGINE ALSO SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, ENDING UP BEHIND THE FUSELAGE'S FINAL RESTING POSITION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR25FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA269), Aug 31, 2025: Piper PA-28R-200 (N1147X), Alta, UT, substantial damage, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N1147X (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20141211023719I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141211023719I), Dec 11, 2014: Piper PA-28R-200 (N1147X), Wallace, NC, Minor damage. While en route from knhk to kilm N1147X lost oil pressure during descent which caused a subsequent engine failure. The pilot turned toward kacz, declared an…
- [Incident 20051026031859I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051026031859I), Oct 26, 2005: Piper PA28R200 (N1147X), St Inigoes, MD. (-23) Aircraft experienced engine vibration. Pilot reduced power and turned to airport. Vibration increased, pilot declared an emergency and was vectored to…
- [Incident 19910203004329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203004329I), Feb 3, 1991: Piper PA28R200 (N1147X), Grand Rapids, MI, Minor damage. Main gear collapsed on landing rollout.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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