- Date
- February 6, 1996, 13:37 local (20:37 UTC)
- Place
- Heber City, UT
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N9242CPiper PA-32-300
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 25, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960206001389A
- Case key
- 42328
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance from terrain during the landing flare. Factors contributing to the accident were the snowbank, fog, and the pilot's complacent attitude.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The non-instrument rated private pilot stated that the visibility near his destination was reduced due to fog, but he thought he had enough visibility to land on runway 3. As he entered the base leg, he overshot the runway and attempted to correct. During the landing, the left main landing gear struck a snowbank on the edge of the runway, and the airplane was pulled into the ground. The left wing was torn off in the impact. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Under the 'Recommendation' section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot suggested 'avoid complacent attitude' to prevent the accident from occurring again.
Factual narrative
On February 6, 1996, about 1337 mountain standard time, N9242C, a Piper PA-32-300, operated by the owner/pilot, struck a snowbank during landing in Heber City, Utah, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Another passenger received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Apple Valley, California, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
In a written statement to the Safety Board, the pilot reported that the visibility near his destination at the Heber City Airport was reduced due to fog. He stated that he thought he had enough visibility to land on runway 3. As he entered the base leg, he overshot the runway and attempted to correct. During the landing, the left main landing gear struck a snowbank on the edge of the runway, and the airplane was pulled into the ground. The left wing was torn off in the impact.
The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Under the "Recommendations" section of NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot suggested "avoid complacent attitude."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9242C
- Reported as
- Piper PA-32-300
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 32-7840092
- Airframe hours
- 2,101
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- L.G. Kitchens Transportation
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 1, 1995 · 34 hours before
- Departed
- APV · Apple Valley, CA
- Airport
- 36U · Heber City Municipal, runway 3, 6,900 × 75 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 62
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,612 total · 1,381 in this make and model · 17 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 0.25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 100 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PVU, 10 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.