Plane Crash Reports 2003

2003 Plane Crash Report Result

Title: TIME, A CESSNA 501, N70FJ, WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED TERRAI

Report Date: 03/25

Plane Crash Problem: On March 15, 2003, approximately 1425 mountain standard time, a Cessna 501, N70FJ, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an uncontrolled descent near Carey, Idaho. The airplane was registered to Dancing Wind Aviation LLC, of Livingston, Montana, and operated by the pilot. The airline transport pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The flight originated from the Salt Lake International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City, Utah, at 1340, and was destined for the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), Hailey, Idaho. According to initial data from the Western Air Defense Sector, McCord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington, and the Salt Lake Air Route Traffic Control Center (SLC ARTCC), N70FJ departed flight level 350 for flight level 240 at 1359:57. At 1407:08 the pilot reported that he was at flight level 240, and at 1407:11 SLC ARTCC cleared the aircraft to descend and maintain flight level 190. At 1408:25 the pilot queried SLC ARTCC "if aircraft were missing the approach into Hailey?" At 1408:29 the controller told the pilot, "You can make it in on the RNAV (Area Navigation) approach sir. Are you able the RNAV?" The pilot replied, "That's affirmative." At 1408:37 the controller further advised the pilot that "the last one made it in on an RNAV just at the bare minimums and Hailey says it's getting worse there, so I got a couple stacked up right now. I'll get you lower and a holding pattern set up. I'll put you in a hold at Oriye if that's gonna work for you sir. N70FJ, cleared direct Oriye. Expect holding at Oriye and expect the RNAV approach from there once I get the pattern clear sir." At 1409:00 there was an unreadable transmission from N70FJ. At 1409:07 N70FJ confirmed "direct Oriye for Fox Juliet." At 1409:09 the controller cleared the aircraft to 15,000 feet, which was followed by N70FJ confirming the clearance. At 1410:21 the controller instructed the pilot of N70FJ to expedite his descent to 16,000 feet for traffic. From 1410:33 to 1417:27, SLC ARTCC made twelve attempts to establish radio communications with N70FJ, all of which proved unsuccessful. At 1417:27 the controller requested N70FJ to "ident if you hear me." At 1417:39 the controller confirmed that she had received N70FJ's ident, that she had not received any replies to her previous attempts to contact the aircraft, and that if possible the pilot might try using another radio to establish communications with SLC ARTCC. The controller also instructed the pilot to descend and maintain 15,000 feet. There was no further radio communication or radar contact with N70FJ. On March 16, 2003, at 0801, a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft reported spotting the aircraft wreckage at 046 degrees 26.04 minutes north latitude and 114 degrees 00.96 minutes west longitude. Evidence of initial ground impact was a smooth ground scar area 6 feet by 2 feet, oriented on a magnetic heading of 200 degrees. 25 feet forward of the initial impact scar was a crater that measured 20 feet by 10 feet, and approximately 18 inches deep. Debris comprised of components of the airplane was located on an energy path of 240 degrees magnetic, ending approximately 1/4 miles from the impact crater. Lateral distribution of the wreckage extended approximately 250 feet on both sides of the energy path. At 1346, the weather reporting facility at Hailey, Idaho (SUN), located approximately 16 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported wind 260 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 15 statute miles, showers in the vicinity, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast clouds at 3,000 feet, temperature 7 degrees C, dew point 1 degree C, and an altimeter setting of 29.62 inches of Mercury.

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