# NTSB SEA92LA173: Piper PA-32R-300, N7091C, Farmington, UT, August 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1992, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, UT
- Coordinates: 40.979846, -111.899108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9798&lon=-111.8991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE DOWNDRAFTS AND A BOX CANYON.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PA-32R-300 ELECTED TO TURN INTO A BOX CANYON DURING HIS EN ROUTE CLIMB TO CRUISE. AT THE TIME HE TURNED INTO THE CANYON, THE PILOT FELT THAT THE RATE OF CLIMB WOULD ASSURE CLEARANCE OF THE RIDGE AT THE END OF THE CANYON. AFTER ENTERING THE CANYON THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF DOWNDRAFTS. THE DESCENDING AIR REDUCED THE RATE OF CLIMB TO AN EXTENT THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE AIRCRAFT TO OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN. BY THIS TIME THE PILOT FELT THAT, BECAUSE OF THE NARROWNESS OF THE CANYON, HE COULD NOT SUCCESSFULLY REVERSE COURSE. HE THEREFORE ELECTED TO CONTINUE UP THE CANYON, WHERE HE EVENTUALLY FLEW THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH A CONTROLLED IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7091C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7091C-1993-01-05), registration cancelled 1993-01-05, S/N 32R7680033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680033
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: University Research Found.
- Registered owner: University Research Found.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT
- Destination: SNY, SIDNEY, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 499 total, 32 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920804029039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920804029039A), Aug 4, 1992: Piper PA32R300, Farmington, UT, Destroyed. On climbout turned into blind canyon. Encountered downdraft. Unable to clear terrain tail hit tree. Crashe and burned

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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