# NTSB SEA93FA025: Piper PA-28R-200, N5108S, Cedar City, UT, November 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1992, 18:25 local (Nov 23, 1992, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Cedar City, UT
- Coordinates: 37.590759, -113.189842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5908&lon=-113.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA025

## Probable cause

CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS NOT MAINTAINED.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARK NIGHT CONDITION, SNOW SHOWERS, AND INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AT NIGHT AND IN SNOWING CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SHORTLY AFTER THE FLIGHT HAD TAKEN OFF, THE PILOT MADE CONTACT WITH THE FSS FOR A WEATHER UPDATE. THE SPECIALIST INFORMED THE PILOT THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE PILOT OPTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INFORMING THE SPECIALIST THAT HE WOULD MAKE CONTACT WHEN THE FLIGHT WAS CLOSER. AS THE FLIGHT WAS NEARING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT HAD TRIED THREE TIMES TO CONTACT THE FSS WITHOUT SUCCESS. IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE SPECIALIST WAS NOT MONITORING ALL OF THE FREQUENCIES. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND IN A VALLEY IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - communications/information/atc - not maintained, atc personnel(fss)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5108S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5108S-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 28R-7135109, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7135109
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jewett, Gordon E.
- Registered owner: Jewett, Gordon E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1992
- Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,498 total, 4,459 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDC, 9 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 19921122047619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921122047619A), Nov 22, 1992: Piper PA28R200, Cedar City, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain at night. VFR flight was not recormmended. Fss not monitering frequency.

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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