Incident Overview
A pilot and eight parachutists were returning from a skydive meet when their twin-engine turboprop crashed into the Great Salt Lake. The pilot had obtained a weather briefing that advised of instrument meteorological conditions at the destination and filed a VFR flight plan, but the plan was never activated.
Weather Conditions
Witnesses reported hearing but not seeing the aircraft pass over the airport, heading north over the Great Salt Lake. They described the weather as a low ceiling with 1/4-mile visibility, light snow, haze, and fog. They also noted that it was almost dark at the time.
Accident Details
The airplane impacted the water approximately 1/2-mile off shore. The aircraft had been stripped of all avionics except for one transceiver and a hand-held GPS receiver.
Pilot Experience
One member of the skydive club, who had flown with the pilot, stated that the pilot had previously encountered poor weather conditions and descended over the Great Salt Lake until he could see the ground, then proceeded to the airport. Another member related a similar experience but said they descended over the Great Salt Lake in the vicinity of the accident site. The pilot was able to navigate in deteriorating weather conditions to Tooele Airport using various landmarks.
Mechanical Examination
Examination of the airframe, engines, and propellers did not reveal evidence of any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.