History of Flight
On October 1, 2023, at about 2024 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N7153R, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Moab, Utah. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Airport security video recorded the airplane landing at 1747 at Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY). A fixed-base-operator employee reported that the pilot purchased 27 gallons of fuel, parked near the fuel island, and departed with his family. The occupants returned later and boarded the airplane. At 2022:47, ADS-B data showed the airplane on runway 21. The security video indicated that the pilot-controlled runway lights were not illuminated at that time. At 2023:39, ADS-B data showed the airplane was about mid-runway when it departed the runway surface. At 2024:18, ADS-B data showed the airplane had drifted left of the runway centerline and began a right turn, about 400 ft beyond the departure end of the runway at an altitude of about 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl).
A witness near the departure end of runway 21 reported seeing the airplane take off to the southwest. He stated the runway lights were not on, the engine was loud and smooth, and the light in the nose turned off. The airplane was not very high when it turned steeply to the right and stayed in the steep bank until parallel with the runway but opposite direction. Based on a reference light from a tower, the red light appeared to lose altitude before he lost sight and heard two sounds about one second apart. After the second sound, the engine sound stopped. The last ADS-B data point around 2024 captured the airplane about 715 ft southwest of the accident site at an altitude of about 4,300 ft msl (zero ft above ground level). The reported altitude had an uncertainty of ±200 ft.
Personnel Information
A review of the pilot’s logbook revealed he recorded 44.8 total hours of night flying experience. The last recorded night flights were September 27-28, 2023, for a total of 3.6 hours. The pilot was a member of the South Dakota Army Reserve National Guard (SDARNG). His individual flight records showed 1,777.8 total hours in military helicopters, with no record of fixed-wing flight experience in the SDARNG.
Aircraft Information
Maintenance records indicated the engine was overhauled on October 19, 2019. The last annual inspection of the airframe, engine, and propeller occurred on March 20, 2023, at a tachometer time of 1842.78 hours and a total time of 4642.78 hours.
Meteorological Information
The pilot requested a weather briefing from ForeFlight for a planned departure around 2000 to Casper/Natrona County International Airport (CPR), Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions were reported. Moonrise occurred about 2023, and around 2027 the moon’s disk center was about 0.32° above the horizon.
Airport Information
A review of maintenance records (duplicated in source) showed the same annual inspection details.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest on a hill at an elevation of about 4,649 ft msl, on a heading of about 200° magnetic. A debris line including the nose and main landing gear extended southwest about 540 ft with two impact points. The first point of probable impact was a 12 ft by 24-inch gouge/indentation on a hill at about 4,635 ft msl, consistent with only the nose landing gear impacting terrain. About 50 ft northeast were indications of right and then left main landing gear contact. About 540 ft away was a second impact mark within about 40 ft of the main wreckage location. The fuselage showed downward bending of the engine and cowling. The right wing separated; the left wing remained attached with substantial damage. The nosewheel separated from the strut and was found in the first impact area. Both main landing gear assemblies separated. Flight control continuity was confirmed from cockpit to primary controls. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C) notes that night takeoff procedures are similar to daytime except for reduced visual cues. The pilot should check flight instruments frequently, adjust pitch for normal climb, and ensure a positive climb using attitude indicator, VSI, and altimeter. Turns should be avoided until a safe altitude. Landing lights can cause distortion in haze or clouds and should be turned off after climb is established if not used for collision avoidance.
Injuries to Persons
An autopsy of the pilot by the Office of the Medical Examiner, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries, manner of death accident. Mild coronary artery disease was noted but no forensic evidence it likely contributed to the accident.