# NTSB DEN85FA096: Piper PA-28, N8460Z, Logan, UT, March 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1985, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Logan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.720474, -111.839859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7205&lon=-111.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT (NON-INST RATED) & 2PAX DEPT LOGAN AIRPORT UNDER EXTREME IMC CONDITIONS. VISABILITY IN ICE FOG WAS DOWN TO JUST A FEW FEET. THE A/C CRASHED DURING A RT TURN AFTER T/O.THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8460Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8211012
- Airframe hours: 309
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Oyler & Olso Construction
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1985, 18 hours before
- Destination: RICHFIELD, UT
- Airport: CGU, Logan, runway 35, 5,900 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 225 total, 178 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGU, 16 nm away

## 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 19850314006869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850314006869A), Mar 14, 1985: Piper PA28236, Logan, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot took off in low IFR conditions. Impacted with the ground on the airport. No mechanical malfunction found.

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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