# NTSB DEN82DA028: Piper PA-32, N8178F, Rock Springs, WY, February 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1982, 18:45 local (Feb 2, 1982, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Rock Springs, WY
- Location: 41.5947° N, 109.2209° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rock Springs, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5947&lon=-109.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA028

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED VERNAL,UT AT 1810 MST AFTER REFUELING. DURING THE VFR FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED TO ROCK SPRINGS FSS THAT HE WAS 20 MILES SOUTH AND WAS GIVEN CURRENT WEATHER AND RUNWAY IN USE. NO OTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT APPROXIMATELY 8700 FT MSL. TO DATE THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL ANY EVENTS OF THE FLIGHT NOR ANY DETAILS OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS CERTIFICATED FOR PART 135 OPERATIONS IN LATE DECEMBER 1981 AND HAD FLOWN THE ROUTE ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8178F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8178F-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 32-8024016, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8024016
- Airframe hours: 957
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-51AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Alpine Aviation
- Registered owner: Alpine Aviation
- Departed: VERNAL, UT
- Destination: TERRY, MS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,275 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,145 as pilot in command, 198 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820201000259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820201000259A), Feb 1, 1982: Piper PA32301T, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. No engine or flight control problems found. Pilot does not recall event.

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.

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