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NTSB Report
October 8, 1985 · Piper PA-28-151 · N44207
Payson, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Payson, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N44207
Operator
Warrior Enterprises
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA007
THE PASSENGER HAD A 10:00 MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AT THE DESTINATION AROT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED, RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PVT PLT, REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A PROPOSED VFR FLT AT 7500 FT MSL FROM MESA TO HOLBROOK, AZ. THE WEATHER BRIEFING WAS ADEQUATE FOR THE FLT. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED A LOCALIZED SEVERE WEATHER PHENOMONA WHICH INCLUDED CUMULUS BUILD-UPS, CLOUDS DOWN TO THE GROUND, RAIN AND GUSTY SURFACE WINDS. WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED HEARING THE ACFT AND THE IMPACT SOUNDS, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE ACFT WRECKAGE 'UNTIL THE CLOUDS LIFTED.' THE ACFT IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A CLIFF-LIKE MOUNTAIN FEATURE AT THE 7360 FOOT MSL LEVEL IN A 31 DEGREE DESCENT ANGLE IN A 118 DEGREE RIGHT ROLL.
Full Narrative
THE PASSENGER HAD A 10:00 MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AT THE DESTINATION AROT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED, RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PVT PLT, REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A PROPOSED VFR FLT AT 7500 FT MSL FROM MESA TO HOLBROOK, AZ. THE WEATHER BRIEFING WAS ADEQUATE FOR THE FLT. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED A LOCALIZED SEVERE WEATHER PHENOMONA WHICH INCLUDED CUMULUS BUILD-UPS, CLOUDS DOWN TO THE GROUND, RAIN AND GUSTY SURFACE WINDS. WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED HEARING THE ACFT AND THE IMPACT SOUNDS, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE ACFT WRECKAGE 'UNTIL THE CLOUDS LIFTED.' THE ACFT IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A CLIFF-LIKE MOUNTAIN FEATURE AT THE 7360 FOOT MSL LEVEL IN A 31 DEGREE DESCENT ANGLE IN A 118 DEGREE RIGHT ROLL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN44207
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWarrior Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 30 kt, gusting 40 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT