History of Flight
On May 26, 2012, at approximately 0120 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registration N953SP, crashed shortly after taking off from St. George Municipal Airport in St. George, Utah. The aircraft was operated by Diamond Flying LLC under 14 CFR Part 91 for a local personal flight with a planned destination of Mesquite, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
A friend of the pilot stated that he attended a party with the pilot on the evening of May 25. Both consumed several alcoholic beverages between 2030 and 2200. Two of the passengers also drank alcohol; the third passenger did not because he was the designated driver. The group later left for another party, but during the drive, they were pulled over by police. While waiting, one passenger suggested going to Mesquite, and the group agreed except for the friend, who stayed behind. The friend later tried to dissuade them but was not aware they planned to fly.
Security camera footage showed the airplane departing from runway 19, flying at low altitude, then rapidly ascending and descending out of view.
Personnel Information
The 23-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single and multiengine land and instrument ratings. His first-class medical was issued on April 16, 2012, with no limitations. He was employed by GoJet Airlines as a first officer. He reported 3,000 total flight hours on his last medical application. His family stated the airplane belonged to a friend and the pilot occasionally borrowed it with permission. The pilot's friend indicated he rarely consumed alcohol; the family said he did not consume alcohol.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172S (serial number 172S8153) was built in 1999. Its last annual inspection was completed on August 10, 2011, at 1,091.4 hours. The last recorded fuelings were on May 18 (18.5 gallons, top-off) and earlier at Chandler, Arizona (20.54 gallons, top-off). Estimated fuel onboard at accident was about 28 gallons. Weight and balance computations showed a gross weight of about 2,710 pounds, exceeding the maximum authorized takeoff weight of 2,550 pounds. The center of gravity was 44.92 inches, within limits for that weight.
Meteorological Information
A weather report 5 minutes before the accident indicated wind from 260 degrees at 9 knots, temperature 66°F, dew point 28°F, altimeter 29.60 inHg. The sky was dark, moon below horizon. Sunrise was at 0618.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage was found inverted about 525 feet from the runway edge on hard dirt adjacent to the departure end. A ground scar about 36.5 feet wide (matching the wingspan) with red and green lens fragments was found 40 feet from the main wreckage. Bottle caps from Bud Light and Blue Moon were found in the wreckage. The destination Mesquite was about 28 nm away with mountain peaks up to 6,000 ft.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot's autopsy listed cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology from CAMI showed ethanol in the pilot's blood (0.105 gm/dL), brain (0.121 gm/dL), heart (0.098 gm/dL), and methanol and n-propanol in blood. Two passengers tested positive for ethanol (0.088 and 0.160 gm/dL).
Tests and Research
Examination of the wreckage found control continuity for elevators and rudders, aileron cables separated from overload, flaps retracted, elevator trim neutral. The engine showed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Propeller damage consistent with impact. No mechanical failure was found.
Additional Information
FAA regulation 14 CFR 91.17 prohibits acting as crew within 8 hours of alcohol consumption or with blood alcohol >=0.04%. Four cellular phones were recovered but damaged beyond data recovery.
This article is based solely on the official accident investigation report.