# NTSB SEA08FA174: Piper PA-28-181, N2190X, Monticello, UT, August 8, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2008, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Monticello, UT - Coordinates: 37.950832, -109.318885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9508&lon=-109.3189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Piper Aircraft, Textron Lycoming Engines, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08FA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude over a sparsely populated area with the intention of looking for wildlife. Several witnesses located near the accident site reported observing the accident airplane flying around the vicinity of the accident site at a low altitude. One witness reported that he observed an airplane circling in the vicinity of the accident site with the wings "completely up and down" followed by the airplane leveling off at an "extremely low altitude" before he lost sight of the airplane below the horizon. Wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with the airplane impacting terrain within an open plowed field in a right wing low attitude. The wreckage debris path was about 190 feet. All major components of the airplane were located within the debris path. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 8, 2008, about 0700 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 single-engine airplane, N2190X, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while maneuvering near the Monticello Airport (U43), Monticello, Utah. The private pilot and his two passengers were killed. The airplane was registered to Lyle Northern Electric of Blanding, Utah, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. The local flight originated from the Blanding Municipal Airport (BDG), Blanding, Utah, at about 0630. Several witnesses located near the accident site reported observing an airplane consistent in appearance with the accident airplane flying near the vicinity of the accident site at a low altitude. Two witnesses reported that the airplane's engine sounded steady with no changes in sound. A witness traveling north on a highway adjacent to the accident site reported that he observed an airplane circling in the vicinity with the wings "completely up and down" before the airplane's wings leveled onto a westerly heading. The witness added that the airplane was at an "extremely low altitude" before he lost sight of the airplane below the horizon. According to local law enforcement officials, the pilot and passengers were flying around the local area with the intention of spotting wild life in the vicinity of the accident site. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 36, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land ratings. The pilot held a third-class airman medical certificate issued July 20, 2007, with no limitations. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that as of the most recent flight entry dated May 15, 2008, the pilot had accumulated 356.2 hours total flight time, of which 356.2 hours were in the accident make/model airplane. The pilot had logged 4.9 hours within the previous 90 days of the accident and 0 hours within the previous 30 days. The pilot completed his most recent biennial flight review on September 5, 2007. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number (S/N) 28-7990367, was manufactured in 1979. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, serial number RL-37049-36A, rated at 180 horse power engine and was equipped with a Sensenitch model 76EM8S5-0-62 fixed-pitch propeller. Review of the aircraft maintenance logbook records showed that an annual inspection was completed February 2, 2008, at a recorded tachometer reading of 3,158 hours, airframe total time of 13,158.5 hours, and engine total time since remanufacture of 1,511.8 hours. Using the observed tachometer hour reading of 3,189.5 hours at the accident site, the investigator-in-charge computed that the airplane had accumulated 31.5 hours since the annual inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION A review of recorded data from a weather observationstation near Blanding, Utah, located about 21 miles south of the accident site, reported at 0555, wind from 060 at 5 knots, visibility 40 statute miles, few clouds at 14,000 feet above ground level (agl), temperature 17 degrees Celsius, and a dew point of 13 degrees Celsius. At 0855, the observation station recorded wind from 150 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 50 statute miles, scattered cloud layer at 5,000 feet agl, broken cloud layer at 12,000 feet agl, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, and a dew point of 14 degrees Celsius. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane by the NTSB investigator-in-charge revealed that the airplane impacted an open plowed field about 1.3 nautical miles northeast of U43. Wreckage debris was scattered about 190 feet along an approximate bearing of 278-degrees magnetic from the initial impact crater. Fiberglass and various debris was observed along the debris path. A piece of the green navigational light lens was located about four feet from the initial impact point. About 75 feet from the initial impact crater, the right wing was located and was separated from the airframe. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine revealed that it remained attached to the airframe. The propeller remained attached to the engine propeller crankshaft. Propeller blade A remained relatively straight with a 5-degree forward bend originating about 6 inches inboard from the blade tip. Chordwise scratching and leading edge polishing were observed throughout the blade span. Propeller blade B was twisted towards the direction of low pitch at approximately mid-span. Chordwise scratching and leading edge polishing were observed throughout the blade span. Examination of the engine and system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Utah State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the pilot on August 9, 2008. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was "Blunt force injuries…" The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. According to CAMI's report, carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested, and had negative results. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2190X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2190X-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 28-7990367, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7990367 - Airframe hours: 13158.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eric L. Johnson - Registered owner: Lyle Northern Electric Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008, 31.5 hours before - Departed: KBDG, Blanding, UT - Airport: U43, Monticello Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 356 total, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Observed at: K4BL, 21 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 20080808841229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080808841229A), Aug 8, 2008: Piper PA28181, Blanding, UT, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. (-23) On August 8, 2008, about 0700 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 single-engine airplane, N2190X, was substantially damaged when it collided with… 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.