# NTSB SEA96LA049: Piper PA-32-300, N9242C, Heber City, UT, February 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 6, 1996, 13:37 local (20:37 UTC) - Place: Heber City, UT - Coordinates: 40.429546, -111.190925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4295&lon=-111.1909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42328/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA049 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7840092 - Airframe hours: 2101 - Engines: 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. - Pilot; age 62; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960206001389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960206001389A), Feb 6, 1996: Piper PA32300, Heber, UT, Substantial damage. Trying to land VFR in dense fog overshot runway turning final. Gear hit snowbank. Tore off left wing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.