History of Flight
On October 9, 2012, about 1344 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga II, N110UM, was destroyed when it collided with mountainous terrain near the summit of Laramie Peak, approximately 51 miles southeast of Casper, Wyoming. The non-instrument rated private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to one of the passengers and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure and destination airports. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Marshall, Texas (KASL) about 0820 central daylight time, with an intermediate fuel stop in Dodge City, Kansas, and a planned destination of Casper, Wyoming. The flight departed Dodge City about 1130 central daylight time.
Family members alerted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the pilot was overdue; an alert notice (ALNOT) was issued that evening. On October 11, search and rescue personnel discovered the wreckage near the summit of Laramie Peak on the southeast (upslope) side.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 21, held a private pilot certificate issued June 22, 2012, with an airplane single-engine land rating and no instrument rating. At the time of application, he reported 57.4 total flying hours, including 36.9 hours of dual instruction and approximately 19 solo hours, with 3.8 hours of instrument experience. He held a third-class medical certificate issued November 23, 2010, with no limitations.
A passenger believed to be seated in the right front seat had considerable flight experience; however, his Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, and Ground Instructor Certificate were revoked by the FAA via an emergency order on July 28, 2008.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 2005 model Piper PA-32R-301T, single-engine, 6-place, low-wing with retractable landing gear, powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A 300-horsepower engine driving an adjustable-pitch propeller. It was equipped with dual cockpit controls, an S-TEC autopilot, Avidyne Entegra Integrated Flight Deck (PFD and MFD), and dual Garmin GNS 430 GPS transceivers. The most recent annual inspection was completed July 27, 2012, at 653.3 hours airframe total time. Fueling records indicate the airplane was last refueled in Dodge City, Kansas, on October 9, 2012, at 1125 CDT with 61.9 gallons of AVGAS.
Meteorological Information
Weather in the area at the time included low clouds and mountain obscuration. An AIRMET for mountain obscuration was issued for the area and timeframe. The NWS Surface Analysis for 1200 on October 9 showed a low pressure system over southeastern Wyoming extending from Colorado to Idaho, with a high pressure system over Montana. At Casper, Wyoming, winds were from the northeast at 5 knots, overcast clouds, temperature 3°C, dew point -2°C. Remote Automated Weather (RAWs) at Esterbrook, Wyoming (elevation 6,597 feet, about 10 miles north of the accident site) reported a northerly wind at 5 knots, temperature -1°C, dew point -2°C, relative humidity 97%. No ceilometer or visibility data were available. An AIRMET Sierra for IMC and mountain obscuration was expected to end between 1200 and 1500. An AIRMET Zulu for occasional moderate icing was valid between 8,000 and 18,000 feet. At 1353, Casper/Natrona County International Airport reported wind from 100° at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, ceiling broken at 1,900 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet, temperature 4°C, dew point -2°C. It was not determined if the pilot obtained a weather briefing.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted steep mountainous terrain near the summit of Laramie Peak at an elevation of about 9,750 feet on the southeast (upslope) side. Access was limited due to terrain and weather. Search and rescue personnel reported that a majority of the wreckage was consumed by post-crash fire, but all major structural components were present. The wreckage was later recovered to a hangar in Greeley, Colorado. Examination by the NTSB, FAA, Piper, Lycoming, and Avidyne on February 13, 2013, revealed extensive ground impact and fire damage. Examination of the recovered airframe, engine, and system components found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot was performed on October 13, 2012, by Allen Forensic Pathology Consultant at the request of the Albany County Coroner. Forensic toxicology by the FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute was negative for drugs and alcohol.
Additional Information
Radar data from the FAA showed the airplane level at 10,400 feet from 1300 until 1320, then descending to 8,500 feet msl from 1327 until 1339, followed by a slow climb until impact. At 1341, the aircraft made a slight right turn. The last radar target was recorded at 1344 approximately one-quarter mile from the crash site at about 9,700 feet msl.