Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Minersville, Utah 84752
Tuesady, December 11, 2007 9:30 MST

The non-instrument rated private pilot seated in the left seat and the airline transport pilot seated in the right seat, were approximately 30 minutes from the intended destination when the single-engine airplane collided with mountainous terrain at the approximate 7,000 foot level. The visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight originated in day VFR conditions approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes prior to the accident. Marginal weather conditions, to include snow showers and reduced visibilities, were reported in the area during the time frame of the accident. Search and rescue personnel reported the visibility in the area was poor and the hillside where the wreckage came to rest was not visible from the valley due to clouds. The wreckage was located on up-sloping, snow-covered terrain near the crest of a ridge line. The debris field encompassed an area approximately 570 feet in length along a magnetic heading consistent with the reported route of flight. Ground scars and wreckage signatures were also consistent with controlled flight into terrain. Post accident examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the landing gear and wing flaps were in the up position (cruise configuration). Additional examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of a mechanical malfunction prior to impact. It could not be determined which of the two front seat pilots was manipulating the flight controls when the accident occurred.

The flying pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during cruise. Contributing to the accident were low clouds, reduced visibility and mountainous terrain.