What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-04-27 involved a Piper PA-34-200T, registration N132CP, at Alpine, UT.

Aircraft Impacts Terrain After Pilot Diverts to Alternate and Attempts VFR Flight (N132CP)

On April 27, 2002, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N132CP) was involved in an aviation accident near Alpine, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain and continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the fog and rain weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An instrument-rated pilot, denied a GPS approach due to traffic and low clouds, diverted to an alternate airport for an ILS approach. He then canceled IFR to proceed VFR to the intended destination. Witnesses reported the aircraft low, fast, with gear up in rainy, foggy conditions. The aircraft disappeared into fog and impacted terrain at 5,675 feet msl. No anomalies were found in the wreckage.

Flight and Pilot Information

An instrument-rated pilot with 3,864 hours of flight experience was en route to his intended destination. He was familiar with the route, having completed approximately 370 flights between the departure and destination airports.

ATC Communication

While en route, the pilot requested a GPS instrument approach to the intended destination airport from air traffic control. ATC denied the request due to traffic and low cloud bases in the area. The pilot then requested an IFR clearance to an alternate airport. ATC cleared the pilot for an ILS approach to the alternate airport. Subsequently, the pilot reported that when able, he would cancel the IFR clearance and proceed to the intended destination airport under VFR.

Witness Observations

Witnesses observed the airplane flying northbound towards the intended destination airport. They described it as operating "low, fast and its landing gear was up." The weather at the time was reported as "very rainy, and foggy and the visibility was poor." The airplane continued north and disappeared instantly into the fog and clouds. No distress calls were received from the pilot prior to the accident.

Accident and Wreckage

The airplane impacted trees and terrain at an elevation of approximately 5,675 feet msl. During examination of the wreckage, no aircraft or engine anomalies were noted that would have prevented normal operations.

2002-04-27: Piper PA-34-200T (N132CP) — Alpine, UT