WPR20FA079

The pilot and passengers decided to fly over the nearby mountains so the passengers could spot wildlife on the terrain below. The pilot and surviving passenger recalled the airplane running well as they made a turn towards the mountains, but neither reported any memories of the flight after that point. Radar flight track data showed the airplane depart and fly to the mountains while maintaining an altitude of about 1,000 ft above ground level. The airplane completed a turning maneuver and descended into a canyon. Near the accident site, the flight track was consistent with the pilot maneuvering to avoid rising terrain. The accident site debris field was in a down-canyon direction. Examination of the wreckage and the accident site revealed that the airplane was in a nose-high attitude at the time of impact and possibly nearing the stall speed of the airplane. The propeller damage suggests that the engine was producing power at the time of impact. The examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

On January 24, 2020, about 0911 mountain standard time, a Piper PA28-140, airplane, N3672K, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Payson, Arizona. One of the two passengers was fatally injured, and the pilot and other passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated in an interview that after a flight earlier that morning from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona, he landed in PAN, refueled, and departed for the return flight back to FFZ. During the return flight, the pilot decided to fly over the mountains southwest of their position. He stated that he flew about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl) over the mountains, while the passengers were spotting wildlife on the terrain below. The pilot stated the airplane was running well and that he didn’t remember anything else about the flight until 5 hours later, when he woke up injured, laying in a small creek at the accident site. Radar flight track data showed the airplane depart PAN and fly to the Mazatzal Mountain Range. While maintaining an altitude of about 1,000 ft agl above the mountainous terrain, the airplane made a 280° turning maneuver, then descended over and into a canyon with rising terrain. (see Figure 1). About a half mile from the accident site, the flight track showed the airplane turn left and the turn radius increased before the track data stopped. The airplane’s groundspeed through the canyon decreased from 88 to 65 knots and the airplane’s altitude above the ground decreased from about 1,000 ft to 330 ft agl near the accident site. The terrain elevation rose about 800 ft up the canyon. The last recorded flight track data point was located about 500 ft from the accident site. Figure 1-Flight track data and accident site location The Gila County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, Reno Nevada, performed an autopsy on the passenger. The cause of death was noted as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicology testing on the passenger’s specimens indicated carbon monoxide levels less than 10% saturation. Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane was destroyed by impact forces, on steep, heavy brush covered terrain. The wreckage, including all major structural airplane components and primary flight controls, were contained within the debris path that was about 145 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of about 35°, paralleling and uphill from a small stream. (see Figure 2) Figure 2-Accident site aerial view. The outboard right-wing sections revealed leading-edge circular impact damage, similar in size to the large trees near the beginning of the debris path. The circular impact damage was found on the lower forward side of the wing near the leading edge, consistent with the airplane positioned in a nose up attitude at the time of impact with the ground. The propeller was found about halfway through the debris field and the blades revealedleading edge gouging and loss of blade material at the tips. The main wreckage, including the engine were found on top of the rocks located along the stream. The cabin and forward fuselage were mostly consumed by postimpact fire. The left wing and empennage were found partially attached to the main wreckage and had postimpact fire damage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. Flight control cable continuity was attained through multiple overload fractures. The exhaust muff was disassembled and examined, and no anomalies were noted. The examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.