# NTSB DEN88FA098: Piper PA-28R-200, N2738R, Pintura, UT, April 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1988, 13:53 local (19:53 UTC)
- Place: Pintura, UT
- Coordinates: 37.58916, -113.189224 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5892&lon=-113.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA098

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT AND TWO PAX DEPARTED OVERTON, NV DESTINED FOR SUNDANCE, WY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT TOOK OFF UNDER AN OVERCAST AND FOLLOWED INTERSTATE 15 NORTHBOUND. A WITNESS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE SAID THAT HE SAW N2738R AT APRX 600 FT AGL OVER THE INTERSTATE. HE SAW THE ACFT FLY INTO 'A HEAVY CLOUD BANK.' THE MOUNTAINS WERE REPORTEDLY OBSCURED BY LOW CLOUDS AND RAIN SHOWERS. THE MOUNTAIN PEAK ELEVATION WAS 8700 FT. N2738R CRASHED AT THE 5700 FT LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2738R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2738R-2011-11-14), registration cancelled 2011-11-14, S/N 28R-35278, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-28R-35278
- Airframe hours: 9950
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Sprague
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1987, 46 hours before
- Departed: U08, OVERTON, NV
- Destination: SUC, SUNDANCE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,329 total, 1,049 in this make and model, 1,277 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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