# NTSB DEN85FA233: Piper PA-34-200T, N75015, Ogden, UT, September 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1985, 12:56 local (18:56 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.210956, -111.970138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2110&lon=-111.9701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16556/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA233

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,airman, faa(organization) (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS PARTY WERE EN ROUTE FROM MINDEN, NV TO CASPER, WY AND HAD STOPPED AT OGDEN, UT TO REFUEL. THE PLT OBTAINED AN UPDATED WX BRIEFING FR FSS AND FIELD AN IFR FLT PLAN. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT WAS TOLD TO CLIMB IN THE HOLDING PATTERN TO 13000 FT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PLT WAS INSTRUCTED TO JOIN V-6 AND RESUME HIS OWN NAVIGATION. THE PLT REPLIED HE WAS IN A SPIRAL. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT DESCENDING IN A NEAR-VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND SAID A THUNDERSTORM HAD JUST PAST OVERHEAD WITH HEAVY RAIN. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. ONE OF THE PLT'S FORMER CFI AND A FAA DESIGNATED EXAMINER SAID THE PLT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENT RATED. THE EXAMINER RESTRICTED THE PLT'S MULTIENGINE RATING TO 'VFR ONLY.' THE RESTRICTION WAS REMOVED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY A FAA INSPECTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75015](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75015-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 34-7670217, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 76-70217
- Airframe hours: 2086
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles W. Ewing, Md
- Registered owner: Wyoming Chest & Allergy Clinic
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1985, 77 hours before
- Departed: OGD, OGDEN, UT
- Destination: CPR, CASPER, WY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OGD, Ogden Municipal, runway 3, 8,250 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 427 total, 193 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850902042129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850902042129A), Sep 2, 1985: Piper PA34200T, Ogden, UT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control in turbulence and rain during climbout. Pilots IFR competence was reported marginal by his instructor.

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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