History of Flight
On May 30, 2008, about 1045 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N389ES, sustained substantial damage after impacting remote mountainous terrain about 32 nautical miles northwest of Monticello, Utah. The commercial pilot and his sole passenger were killed. The airplane was registered to Arrow West Aviation Incorporated and operated by Redtail Aviation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the sightseeing tour flight, operated under 14 CFR Part 135. The flight departed Canyonlands Airport (CNY) about 0815.
The pilot made a stop at Cal Black Memorial Airport around 0930 for a restroom break. Another company pilot spoke with the accident pilot around 1045, after which contact was lost. At 1345, park personnel notified the company that a hiker saw an airplane go down near the Joint Trail. The wreckage was located at 1500 near the Joint Trail in the Needles District, about 38 nm southwest of CNY.
A witness reported observing the airplane fly below a canyon rim in a right bank, then reappear 15-20 seconds later in a steeper bank before disappearing. She later discovered the wreckage with no fire but leaking fuel.
Pilot Information
The 66-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings. As of May 28, 2008, he had 3,051 total hours, including 701 hours in the accident make and model. He flew 88.4 hours in the last 90 days. His most recent second-class medical was issued November 13, 2007, with a limitation for near vision.
Aircraft Information
The 1997 Cessna 172R was a four-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear airplane powered by a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine. The most recent 100-hour/annual inspection was on May 23, 2008, at an airframe total time of 2,746.1 hours.
Meteorological Conditions
At 1053, the ASOS at CNY reported calm wind, clear sky, visibility 10 miles, temperature 23°C, dew point -9°C, altimeter 30.05 inHg. At 1645, weather at Hanksville reported similar conditions.
Wreckage and Impact
The initial ground scar indicated impact with upsloping terrain in a nose-low, left-wing-down attitude. The energy path extended over 75 feet. The airplane struck two trees and came to rest at 5,423 feet msl. Examination showed control continuity, flaps retracted, elevator trim neutral. Both fuel tanks were breached. The engine remained attached but sustained fire damage during recovery. Propeller blades showed signs of rotation at impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests were negative.
Tests and Research
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.