# NTSB DEN86FA131: Piper PA-28B-140, N8043N, Salt Lake City, UT, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1986, 09:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.639572, -111.490127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6396&lon=-111.4901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA131

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## Analysis

PLT AND PAX DEPARTED SLC AT 0930 FOR SIGHTSEEING CROSS COUNTRY TRIP TO HEBER CITY AND RETURN. PLT SAID PLAN WAS TO FLY THROUGH LAMBS CANYON AND PARLEY'S CANYON. ACFT HIT TREE AND CRASHED AT 8040 FT MSL LEVEL IN LAMBS CANYON AT APPROXIMATELY 0955. TERRAIN VARIES FROM 6000 FT TO 10,246 FT. PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. PAX, A U.S. NAVY PLT, WAS KILLED. NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF AIRFRAME, ENG, PROP, FLIGHT CONTROLS OR SYSTEMS/COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8043N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8043N-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 28-25768, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28B-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25768
- Airframe hours: 3253
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Executive Aircraft Intl., doing business as The Wright Seat
- Registered owner: Craig Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: U36, HEBER CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 2 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 15 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 19860510053219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860510053219A), May 10, 1986: Piper PA28140, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed. Struck a tree in rising mountainous terrain during attempt to go through a canyon at low altitude. Impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N8043N (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 DEN71DXD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DXD13), Jul 6, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N8043N), Littleton, CO, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.