# NTSB DEN90FA100: Piper PA31-325, N18PP, Cedar City, UT, April 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1990, 22:30 local (Apr 26, 1990, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Cedar City, UT
- Coordinates: 37.590015, -113.189064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5900&lon=-113.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT VFR APPROACH FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE INTENDED TO MAKE AN UNSCHEDULED FUEL STOP. ATC ADVISED THAT CEDAR CITY AIRPORT WAS FIFTEEN MINUTES AWAY. RADAR VECTORS WERE REQUESTED AND WERE ISSUED. ALTHOUGH DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS EXISTED AND THE PILOT CONTROLLED AIRPORT LIGHTING WAS NEVER ACTIVATED, THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AND WAS CLEARED FOR A VISUAL APPROACH. THREE MINUTES LATER RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. IMPACT OCCURRED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 9,100 FEET ELEVATION ABOUT SIX MILES EAST OF THE 5,622 FOOT ELEVATION AIRPORT. MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE WAS 12,400 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18PP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18PP-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 31-7512046, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31-325
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51-7512046
- Airframe hours: 2260
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 18pp, Inc.
- Registered owner: N18pp Inc A Delaware Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CDC, Cedar City Munic.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDC, 6 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 19900425016469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900425016469A), Apr 25, 1990: Piper PA31325, Cedar City, UT, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Received visual to airport,in sight began letdown,failed to see mountain in flight path due darkness and no charts.

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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