Accident Summary
On August 18, 1983, a sightseeing flight operating as the second of five aircraft on a scheduled Grand Canyon tour departed Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft, registration N88LV, crashed into the west wall of a mesa inside the canyon, killing all ten occupants. The pilot was Wallace S. Gustafson Jr. Passengers included Enrico Annibali, Maria Vittoria Annibali, Giancarlo Annibali, Luciano Annibali, Guliana Ranieri-Annibali, Francesca Annibali, Federica Annibali, Stefano Annibali, and Daniele Vernava.
Flight History
The initial portion of the flight over the Las Vegas strip and Lake Mead was uneventful. However, weather conditions prevented the pilot from continuing over the Shivwits plateau. Radio communications between the pilot and other company aircrews indicated that the pilot encountered deteriorating weather in the canyon and decided to abort the flight and climb out. Later attempts to contact the aircraft were unsuccessful.
Weather Conditions
A helicopter pilot flying approximately 14 miles north of the crash site reported clouds at ground level at 4,500 feet msl. The accident site elevation was 6,320 feet. Shortly before his last transmission, the pilot stated he was "just short of Twin Peaks." He had transmitted his position from Peach VOR, indicating he was in the area of the crash site. Twin Peaks, with similar terrain, was northeast of the crash site.
Wreckage
The wreckage was found on August 18, 1983, at the base of the west wall of a mesa inside the canyon. The aircraft had collided with terrain during a climb, following an encounter with weather conditions including clouds, low ceiling, and rain.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was an in-flight encounter with weather (clouds, low ceiling, rain) in mountainous terrain, and VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which continued uncontrolled.