Page 2 of 5

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:59 pm
by CBeak
I can think of a list of the usual suspects for this kind of problem. I'm guessing it was fairly warm down in Southern Utah yesterday?
It was actually quite cool. We had a very cool, rainy Friday, and it has cleared and warmed only slightly since. But it will be hot by midweek.

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:27 pm
by waynemcc999
Looks like the METAR for that hour was:
screenshot55.png
And therefore the Density Altitude something like 6000':
screenshot56.png
Assuming the crew was well-versed on flying out of Spanish Fork (DAs often at 6000' or above), it wouldn't seem DA was an issue... unless mixture leaning was missed on departure.

Of course, we're all wondering if two or more people were added to the aircraft in KCDC.

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:37 pm
by Rich
waynemcc999 wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:27 pm Of course, we're all wondering if two or more people were added to the aircraft in KCDC.
4 Fatalities reported

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:50 pm
by waynemcc999
Rich wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:37 pm
waynemcc999 wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:27 pm Of course, we're all wondering if two or more people were added to the aircraft in KCDC.
4 Fatalities reported
Rich, I understand 4 fatalities... my wondering is whether the aircraft flew from Spanish Fork to Cedar City with a subset of those 4, e.g. a pilot and copilot... and then added passengers for the accident flight.

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:21 pm
by Rich
waynemcc999 wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:50 pm
Rich wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:37 pm
waynemcc999 wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:27 pm Of course, we're all wondering if two or more people were added to the aircraft in KCDC.
4 Fatalities reported
Rich, I understand 4 fatalities... my wondering is whether the aircraft flew from Spanish Fork to Cedar City with a subset of those 4, e.g. a pilot and copilot... and then added passengers for the accident flight.
I assumed 2-3 folks were added in KCDC but now I note that rate of climb was quite leisurely from KSPK also. :scratch:

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 12:35 am
by Steve
Some info on Kathryn's report. Photos of the crash site don't show much structure remaining. Apparently, there was a post-crash fire. Very sad with much loss for the families (2 of the pax were the brother and sister-in-law of the pilot). They left behind 4 children.

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2022/04/f ... -2022.html

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:25 am
by TAILspin38
I am a new pilot and have been trying to absorb all the information I can. This question is not to second guess the pilot but more for my personal knowledge. Should it not be a standard practice to stay above the airport and circle to gain altitude before departing the area heading towards the mountains? These unfortunate accidents really make me over anxious when trying to plan a family outing and W&B combined with DA come into play. Our condolences to the family and friends.

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:39 am
by mhoran
I've zero mountain flying experience (except for the 4000ft hills on the east coast). But since getting my instrument landing I've learned to read and follow departure procedures regardless of whether I'm departing IFR. In this case a visual climb over the airport is an option, as is climbing on a specified radial to a nearby VOR until reaching safe altitude. Both would prevent controlled flight into terrain. While intended for instrument takeoffs, these procedures are useful to all pilots.

I learned to take W&B and DA seriously early in my primary training when my instructor crashed and died after taking off overweight with another student (who fortunately survived) in a DA20 on a 100 degree day (at sea level).

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:43 am
by Rich
TAILspin38 wrote: Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:25 am I am a new pilot and have been trying to absorb all the information I can. This question is not to second guess the pilot but more for my personal knowledge. Should it not be a standard practice to stay above the airport and circle to gain altitude before departing the area heading towards the mountains? These unfortunate accidents really make me over anxious when trying to plan a family outing and W&B combined with DA come into play. Our condolences to the family and friends.
You’re right on with your thoughts :thumbsup: . One needs to assess conditions and be sure of terrain clearance. Many years ago (OK, 50) I was being given a “Mountain Check Out” in Colorado by an instructor in an Arrow with a total of three aboard. He dissed my suggestion that we needed more altitude heading Eastbound toward Vail Pass. After a harrowing several miles of barely climbing we barely cleared it, with folks sightseeing at the summit rest stop staring wide-eyed as we zoomed right over their heads. I swear I could see the whites of their eyes.

Back a number of years ago (also in Utah) a guy headed up a canyon in a DA40 with all seats occupied and could not out-climb the terrain. But he flew it under control into the trees and there were no serious injuries. He did not compound his initial error with another.

Re: Fatal UT accident appears to be DA40

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:10 am
by Boatguy
Rich wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:21 pm I assumed 2-3 folks were added in KCDC but now I note that rate of climb was quite leisurely from KSPK also. :scratch:
And the descent rates into KCDC were very steep, peaking at 2,300fpm.

The wreckage pictures are not high res, but they seem to show little or no airplane structure.