# NTSB SEA91FA235: Piper PA32RT-300T, N3006J, Mayfield, UT, September 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1991, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Mayfield, UT
- Coordinates: 39.099269, -111.709739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0993&lon=-111.7097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA235

## Probable cause

POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND INADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS TURNING AROUND TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE POINT BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT DID NOT PERMIT CONTINUED FLIGHT UNDER VFR CONDITIONS.  THE PILOT LAST REPORTED AT 10,500 FEET AND BETWEEN LAYERS.  THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT 10,800 FEET IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT ROSE TO 11,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3006J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3006J-1994-08-25), registration cancelled 1994-08-25, S/N 32R7987074 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32RT-300T (PA32RT-300)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7987074
- Airframe hours: 1120
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley K. Williams
- Registered owner: Stanley K. Williams
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1991, 23 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: U07, BULLFROG BASIN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 616 total, 78 in this make and model, 506 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910906044399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910906044399A), Sep 6, 1991: Piper PA32RT300T, Mayfield, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain. Was flying between cloud layers prior impact. Had made 180 to return.

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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