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NTSB Report
August 21, 1985 · Piper PA-31B-310 · N7497L
Vernal, UT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Vernal, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-31B-310
Tail Number
N7497L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85FA227
THE PLT CANCELLED HIS IFR PLAN AND BEGAN DESCENT FROM 13000 FT IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING AT VERNAL, UT. THE ACFT IMPACTED GROUND IN WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE UNDER POWER. PLT WAS SERIOUSLY BURNED BY POST-CRASH GROUND FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL FAILURE PRIOR TO IMPACT. IT WAS LEARNED PLT HAD FLOWN SMALL ACFT FROM SALT LAKE CITY TO PRICE, UT, AND TO PIERRE, SD, THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. PLT RETURNED TO SALT LAKE CITY AT 0200 ON DAY OF ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT FLT DEPARTED SALT LAKE CITY AT 0600. FAA PHYSICIAN OPINED THAT PLT WAS ASLEEP AT IMPACT. ACFT WAS FLYING INTO RISING SUN.
Full Narrative
THE PLT CANCELLED HIS IFR PLAN AND BEGAN DESCENT FROM 13000 FT IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING AT VERNAL, UT. THE ACFT IMPACTED GROUND IN WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE UNDER POWER. PLT WAS SERIOUSLY BURNED BY POST-CRASH GROUND FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL FAILURE PRIOR TO IMPACT. IT WAS LEARNED PLT HAD FLOWN SMALL ACFT FROM SALT LAKE CITY TO PRICE, UT, AND TO PIERRE, SD, THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. PLT RETURNED TO SALT LAKE CITY AT 0200 ON DAY OF ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT FLT DEPARTED SALT LAKE CITY AT 0600. FAA PHYSICIAN OPINED THAT PLT WAS ASLEEP AT IMPACT. ACFT WAS FLYING INTO RISING SUN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:51 MDT
Nearest AirportVERNAL (10nm SE)
Runway34
Runway Length6605 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31B-310
Tail NumberN7497L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TI0-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 4 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:45
Weather SourceWFAC