History of Flight
On August 8, 2008, at approximately 0700 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 single-engine airplane, registration N2190X, was substantially damaged after colliding with terrain while maneuvering near Monticello Airport (U43), Monticello, Utah. The private pilot and his two passengers were killed. The airplane was registered to Lyle Northern Electric of Blanding, Utah, and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which originated from Blanding Municipal Airport (BDG) at about 0630.
Several witnesses near the accident site reported observing an airplane matching the accident airplane's appearance flying at low altitude. Two witnesses stated that the engine sounded steady with no changes in sound. A witness traveling north on a highway adjacent to the site reported seeing the airplane circling with wings "completely up and down" before leveling onto a westerly heading at an extremely low altitude, then disappearing below the horizon. According to local law enforcement, the pilot and passengers were flying to spot wildlife in the area.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 36, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He held a third-class medical certificate issued July 20, 2007, with no limitations. His logbook showed a total flight time of 356.2 hours, all in the accident make and model. He logged 4.9 hours in the previous 90 days and 0 hours in the previous 30 days. His most recent biennial flight review was completed on September 5, 2007.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number 28-7990367, was manufactured in 1979. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine rated at 180 horsepower, equipped with a Sensenitch fixed-pitch propeller. An annual inspection was completed on February 2, 2008, at a tachometer reading of 3,158 hours and airframe total time of 13,158.5 hours. The engine had 1,511.8 hours since remanufacture. Based on the accident site tachometer reading of 3,189.5 hours, the airplane accumulated 31.5 hours since the annual inspection.
Meteorological Information
A weather observation station 21 miles south of the accident site recorded at 0555: wind from 060° at 5 knots, visibility 40 statute miles, few clouds at 14,000 feet agl, temperature 17°C, dew point 13°C. At 0855, the station recorded wind from 150° at 8 knots, visibility 50 statute miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet agl, broken clouds at 12,000 feet agl, temperature 18°C, dew point 14°C.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed the airplane struck an open plowed field about 1.3 nautical miles northeast of U43. Debris was scattered 190 feet along a bearing of 278° magnetic from the initial impact crater. The right wing separated from the airframe about 75 feet from the crater. Examination of the airframe and flight controls showed no preimpact mechanical malfunction. The engine remained attached to the airframe, and the propeller remained on the crankshaft. Propeller blade A had a 5° forward bend near the tip with chordwise scratching and leading edge polishing. Blade B was twisted toward low pitch at mid-span with similar marking. Engine and system examinations revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted on August 9, 2008, by the Utah State Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute showed negative results for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs.