Incident Overview
Before departing Phoenix, Arizona, the pilot obtained a weather briefing. He was advised of forecast icing conditions and informed that the Salt Lake City (SLC) VORTAC was out of service. While en route, at 0931, the pilot received a weather update. The SLC weather at that time was reported as 2200 feet broken, 5000 feet overcast, visibility 20 miles, with light rain showers and precipitation heavier southeast through southwest, and towering cumulus clouds southwest through west. The forecast called for a 1000-foot ceiling, sky obscured, and visibility 1 mile with snow showers. The pilot was also advised that Ely, Nevada, was clear and that he could consider deviating to the west if necessary.
Sequence of Events
At 1036, the pilot called SLC tower. His transmissions were broken, but another pilot relayed that he was near Tooele, Utah, between layers, operating under visual flight rules (VFR), and wanted distance information. Shortly after that, radio contact was lost. The aircraft did not arrive at its destination, and a search was initiated.
Search and Discovery
On March 29, 1983, the aircraft was found where it had impacted the side of Farnsworth Peak, located between Tooele and Salt Lake City. Information from the Incident Track Analysis Program (ITAP) showed that the aircraft had tracked northbound beyond Tooele to the Great Salt Lake, then east toward Salt Lake City.
Weather Conditions at Tooele
The weather at Tooele was reported as instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with a low ceiling, snow, and mountains obscured. These conditions likely affected the flight.