# NTSB SEA93LA054: Stinson 108-2, N8004K, Fruit Heights, UT, January 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1993, 11:29 local (18:29 UTC)
- Place: Fruit Heights, UT
- Coordinates: 41.020183, -111.919837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0202&lon=-111.9198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA054

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS WAS ATTEMPTED BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS INCLUDE RAIN, SNOW, AND FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED AND HEADED NORTH TOWARD OGDEN, UTAH IN DETERIORATING METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  HE LATER REQUESTED VECTORS INTO SALT LAKE CITY AIRPORT, THEN OGDEN, BEFORE DECLARING THAT HE WAS IN IMC CONDITIONS AND REQUESTING A HEADING AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAINS.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A STEEP MOUNTAINOUS SLOPE WHILE MANEUVERING.  LOCAL WEATHER REPORTS OBSERVED RAIN, SNOW, AND FOG, AS WELL AS REDUCED VISIBILITY IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8004K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8004K-2006-08-17), registration cancelled 2006-08-17, S/N 108-3004, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-3004
- Airframe hours: 1977
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thurston, Curtis L.
- Registered owner: Thurston, Curtis L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1992, 79 hours before
- Departed: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT
- Destination: OGD, OGDEN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 855 total, 219 in this make and model, 804 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 15 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 19930116000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930116000379A), Jan 16, 1993: Univar 1082, Fruit Heights, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. In IMC low near mountains. Requested heading to avoid mountains from ATC too late. Struck cloud obscured mountain.

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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