FTW02FA130

While enroute, the instrument-rated pilot requested to air traffic control a GPS instrument approach to the intended destination airport; however, ATC denied the request due to traffic and the low cloud bases in the area. The pilot then requested an IFR clearance to an alternate airport. ATC cleared the pilot for an ILS approach to an alternate airport. The pilot then reported to air traffic control that when able, he would cancel the IFR clearance and proceed to the intended destination airport under VFR. Witnesses observed the airplane flying northbound towards the intended destination airport and operating "low, fast and it's landing gear was up." They observed the weather to be "very rainy, and foggy and the visibility was poor." The airplane continued to the north and disappeared instantly into the fog and clouds. The 3,864-hour pilot was found to be familiar with the route of flight having completed approximately 370 flights between the departure and destination airports. No distress calls were received from the pilot prior to the accident. The airplane impacted trees and the terrain at an elevation of approximately 5,675 feet msl. During examination of the wreckage, no aircraft or engine anomalies were noted that would have prevented normal operations.

History of flight

On April 27, 2002, approximately 1055 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T twin-engine airplane, N132CP, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain while maneuvering near Alpine, Utah. The instrument-rated private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, and his sole passenger sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Cal Black Memorial Airport (U96), Halls Crossing, Utah, at 0940. The flight's intended destination was Salt Lake City Municipal #2 Airport (U42), near Salt Lake City, Utah.

According to statements provided by the FAA Salt Lake City (SLC) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), controllers, the airplane entered the SLC ARTCC airspace at 16,500 feet msl in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. The pilot reported his destination was U42 and requested a global positioning system (GPS) approach to U42; and, if unable, an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Provo Municipal Airport (PVU). The request for the GPS approach was not approved by the controller due to SLC traffic in the area and the cloud bases at 6,500 feet msl.

The pilot then reported that he had obtained the automated weather observing system (AWOS) reports for PVU and U42, requested the ILS to PVU, and stated that he would cancel the IFR clearance when able, then proceed VFR to U42. The controller instructed the pilot to report the IFR cancellation on the approach frequency, or on frequency 118.85 if on the ground. The controller terminated radar services and repeated the cancellation instructions. The pilot acknowledged the transmission, and then advised he was not receiving the glideslope. The controller advised the pilot that there were no reported problems with the ILS. After several minutes, the controller attempted to contact the pilot; however, there was no response.

Examination of the radar data revealed that airplane appeared to be on the ILS course to PVU, then depicted a turn to the left toward U42. The last radar target was at 1054:08, 40 degrees 21.05 minutes North latitude and 111 degrees 49.01 minutes West longitude, and at an altitude of 5,600 feet msl.

According to witnesses who were traveling in vehicles on State Road 92 near Alpine, they observed the airplane in level flight approximately 500 to 1,000 feet agl, flying northbound toward Salt Lake City, east of Interstate 15. The airplane was operating "low, fast and it's landing gear was up." The weather was observed to be "very rainy, and foggy, and the visibility was poor." The airplane continued to the north and "disappeared instantly" into the fog and clouds. At that time, the fog and clouds were covering the area known as "Traverse Ridge," and identified on the Salt Lake City Sectional Aeronautical Chart as "Pt. of the Mtn".

Another witness, who was located at a business approximately 1 mile from the accident site, reported that "the clouds were thick and low on the mountain for most of the day. At times you could not tell that there were mountains there. When it started to rain it seemed like a light steady rain for most of the day. At times the rain became harder."

A witness, who was traveling northbound on Interstate 15 from Provo towards Salt Lake City approximately 1045, stated that he observed a very long spiral cloud formation near the base of Traverse Ridge. Heavy rain clouds, located above the spiral cloud, were producing rain, hail and sleet.

Salt Lake City Approach Control reported that radar contact with the airplane was terminated at 1052. The local authorities were notified that the airplane had not reached its destination. A search was initiated and approximately 1720, the airplane wreckage was located by the Civil Air Patrol on Traverse Ridge at 40 degrees 27 minutes 4 seconds North latitude and 111 degrees 51 minutes 12 seconds West longitude, at an elevation of 5,675 feet mean sea level (msl). The accident site was 12 nautical miles southeast of U42, and 18 miles north-northwest of PVU.

Personnel information

The 70-year old pilot obtained his private pilot certificate on December 27, 1977. He received his airplane multi-engine land rating on December 31, 1979, and his airplane instrument rating on April 5, 1978. The pilot was issued a third class medical certificate on July 28, 2000, with the restriction, "MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES."

A review of the pilot's logbooks revealed that the pilot had accumulated approximately 3,864 total flight hours, 3,114 airplane multi-engine land hours, and 534 actual instrument hours. The pilot's most recent logbook entry was dated March 23, 2002, which was logged as a 1.7 hour IFR flight from U96 to U42 with an ILS approach to PVU. According to the pilot logbooks, the pilot had logged approximately 370 total flights from U42 to U96, and/or U96 to U42.

The pilot's most recent biennial flight review (BFR) was statisfactorily completed on July 2, 2001.

Aircraft information

The 1979 model Piper PA-34-200T, serial number 34-7970454, was a twin-engine, low wing, all-metal airplane, powered by two turbo-charged reciprocating engines. The airplane was configured to carry a maximum of six occupants.

The airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate on August 30, 1979, and was certified for normal category operations. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated a total flight time of 3,102.8 hours. The most recent annual inspection was performed on August 13, 2001, at 3,066.0 hours total time. The HOBBS meter reading at the most recent annual inspection was 2,077.2, and the HOBBS meter at the accident site read 2,114.0 hours. The last altimeter calibration was performed on March 7, 1997, to 20,000 feet mean sea level.

The left engine was a 200 horsepower turbo charged Teledyne Continental TSIO-360-EB, serial number 311162. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 1030.13 hours since the last major overhaul which was completed on May 23, 1990. The most recent inspection was completed on August 13, 2001, at which time the engine had accumulated 993.33 hours since major overhaul.

The right engine was a 200 horsepower turbo charged Teledyne Continental TSIO-360-EB, serial number 312133. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 1050.02 hours since the last major overhaul which was completed on May 23, 1990. The most recent inspection was completed on August 13, 2001, at which time the engine had accumlated 1013.22 hours since major overhaul.

The left propeller was a three-blade McCauley 3AF34C502-C, hub serial number 891957, which was installed on September 1, 1990. The most recent inspection was performed on August 13, 2001.

The right propeller was a three-blade McCauley 3AF34C503, hub serial number 793950, which was installed on September 1, 1990. On July 9, 1998, the propeller was removed for repair and overhaul, and then reinstalled. The most recent inspection was performed on August 13, 2001.

The airplane was not equipped with a ground proximity warning system (GPWS).

Meteorological information

The following surface weather observations were recorded for Salt Lake City area.

Provo, Utah (PVU) is located approximately 15 nautical miles southwest of the accident site:

0955...ceiling 3,000 feet overcast; visibility 10 statute miles; temperature 7 degrees celcius (C); dew point 3 degrees C; winds 180 at 13 knots; altimeter setting 29.68 inches of Hg.

1055...few clouds at 1,400 feet; ceiling 2,400 feet overcast; visibility 6 statute miles; temperature 6 degrees C; dew point 3 degrees C; winds 090 at 5 knots; altimeter setting 29.71 inches of Hg.

Salt Lake City Municipal #2 Airport (U42) is located 12 nautical mile