# NTSB SEA91FA026: Piper PA-28R-180, N4678J, Salt Lake City, UT, November 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1990, 12:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.810527, -111.939064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8105&lon=-111.9391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL BUZZING OF UNINHABITED ISLAND IN THE GREAT SALT LAKE AND HIS MISJUDGING THE TIMING OF A PULL-UP MANEUVER TO CLEAR RISING TERRAIN OF A RIDGELINE.

## Analysis

THE PILOT DESCENDED TO A LOW ALTITUDE BEFORE REACHING AN UNINHABITED ISLAND IN THE GREAT SALT LAKE AND ATTEMPTED A PULL-UP MANEUVER TO FLY OVER A RIDGELINE ON THE ISLAND. THE LEFT WING TIP IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN NEAR THE TOP OF THE RIDGELINE. THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED OVER THE RIDGELINE, TRAVELED 750 FT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4678J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4678J-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N 28R30578 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30578
- Airframe hours: 4156
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hill Afb Aero Club
- Registered owner: M & W Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 7, 1990, 32 hours before
- Departed: END, WENDOVER, UT
- Destination: HIF, HILL AFB, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 208 total, 21 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 28 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 19901130052269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901130052269A), Nov 30, 1990: Piper PA28R180, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Caught a wing on a island ridge. Cartwheeled and burned. Was observed at 25FT AGL.

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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