Piper PA-38 N2362K

Summary

On 27 May 1997 at about 23:00 local time, a Piper PA-38 registered N2362K was involved in an accident near Fruitland, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 May 1997 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fruitland, Utah, United States

Coordinates

40.1491, -110.8208

Aircraft

Piper PA-38

Registration

N2362K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Duchesne → Ogden

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA123

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors include his improper inflight decision to attempt to fly through a mountain pass under high density altitude conditions in an aircraft that was operating near the limits of its performance capability, high density altitude, downdrafts, and mountainous terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the return leg of a cross-country flight through mountainous terrain, the pilot attempted to fly through a mountain pass which was more than 8,500 feet high. At the time of the accident, the density altitude in the area was greater than 10,000 feet, and according to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, the aircraft's expected climb rate would be less than 100 feet per minute. While attempting to get through the pass, the aircraft encountered downdrafts that were sinking at a greater rate than the aircraft could climb. Although the pilot attempted to outclimb the sinking air, he could not keep the aircraft from descending into the terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.