# NTSB DEN82FTM09: Beech A36, N4295S, St. George, UT, February 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1982, 17:15 local (Feb 19, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: St. George, UT
- Location: 37.1041° N, 113.5841° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. George, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1041&lon=-113.5841&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTM09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTM09

## 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
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A FLIGHT FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA TO ST. GEORGE, UTAH WHEN IT FLEW PAST THE DESTINATION AND STRUCK THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 15 MILES BEYOND THE DESTINATION AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 7600 FT MSL. THE SITE WAS ALMOST DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE DEPARTURE POINT AND THE MORMON MESA VORTAC. THE MORMON MESA VORTAC WAS LOCATED ABOUT HALF WAY BETWEEN LAS VEGAS AN ST. GEORGE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOPILOT. MEMBERS OF THE PILOT'S FAMILY BELIEVED THAT HE WENT TO SLEEP WHILE FLYING WITH THE AUTOPILOT ON. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK SHOWED TRACES OF COCAINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4295S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4295S-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N E-953, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-953
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Terra Dev. Corp. & Sundance Av
- Registered owner: Terra Dev. Corp. & Sundance Av
- Departed: LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: KINSTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,107 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 111 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCF

## 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 19820218004689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820218004689A), Feb 18, 1982: Beech A36, St George, UT, Destroyed. Impacted sheer rock side of mountain at cruise speed. Clear weather. Believe pilot asleep, on autopilot.

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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