Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II, N1147X, fatal accident occurred on August 31, 2025, near Alta, Utah

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N1147X

Pax Flyers LLC

- Hitstory of Flight:
On August 31, 2025, at about 1721 local time, a Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II, N1147X, registered to Pax Flyers LLC out of Hollywood, Maryland, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Alta, Utah. One occupant sustained fatal injuries, and the second occupant sustained serious injuries.

According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1655 LT, the airplane was observed climbing through 5,500 ft near Toole, Utah. The airplane was flying east and appeared to be tracking the Dwight D. Eisenhower highway. At about 1706, the airplane turned south and was still following the highway. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1710 LT. The airplane crashed about 10 minutes later and 15 miles east of the final recorded data point. (figure 1)

Figure 1: ADS-B Exchange track on Google Earth, note presumed flight path is not confirmed.

According to two witnesses who were in the middle of their wedding save-the-date photo-shoot, they saw the airplane flying at low altitude, and stated "We couldn’t hear the engines. He was gliding and then, like, tried to pull up, and he went behind the tree lines and nothing, and just, you see a big cloud of dust."

- Pilot Information:
None

- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 28R-7535259, was a 4-seat, low wing, retractable landing gear airplane manufactured in 1975. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine rated at 200 hp. The certified gross weight was 2,650 lb.

According to the damage history, in 2014, the aircraft suffered loss of oil in flight and the engine was replaced with a re-manufactured engine in Jan 2016.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The accident site elevation was 9135.8 ft, at an estimated cords of 40.589890,-111.6202 (see figure 1).

Figure 1: Accident (left) and Google Maps (right)

The airplane came to rest upright in wooded mountainous terrain surrounded by multiple mountain tops and canyons (figure 2). There was no post crash fire. The left wing remained attached to the airframe and sustained impact damage. The right wing was impact damaged and separated and located in the debris path leading to the aircraft. The tail remained attached to the fuselage.

Given the witness accounts and the state of the wreckage (speculation/my opinion), the impact appears consistent with a box entry low altitude stall/spin/turn.

Figure 2

- Airport Information:
None

- Weather:
(1) Brief:

The reported weather at KHCR, at 1715 (about 6 minutes before the accident) included: wind 330° at 8 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), a temperature of 29° C, a dew point of 0° C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.22 inches of mercury.

The reported weather at KSVR, at 1715 (about 6 minutes before the accident) included: wind 330° at 13 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), a temperature of 30° C, a dew point of 5° C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.19 inches of mercury.

The calculated density altitude from the first paragraph is KHCR 12604 ft. The calculated density altitude from the second paragraph is 12753 ft. The estimated elevation of the accident site was 9135.8 feet.

(2) METARs:

METAR KSVR 312255Z AUTO 34010KT 10SM CLR 31/05 A3019 RMK AO2

METAR KSVR 312315Z AUTO 33013KT 10SM CLR 30/05 A3019 RMK AO2 <<

METAR KSVR 312335Z AUTO 33011KT 10SM CLR 30/05 A3018 RMK AO2

------------------

METAR KHCR 312255Z AUTO 26005KT 10SM CLR 29/01 A3022 RMK AO2 T02940006 $

METAR KHCR 312315Z AUTO 33003KT 10SM CLR 29/M00 A3022 RMK AO2 T02891001 $ <<

METAR KHCR 312335Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM CLR 29/00 A3022 RMK AO2 T02930003 $

(3) Area Forecast Discussion:

According to the Area Forecast Discussion released by the NWS, Salt Lake City UT 1540 MDT Sun Aug 31 2025:

.SYNOPSIS...A warming and drying trend will continue through at
least Monday, bringing pleasant weather for the holiday weekend.
Moisture gradually increases through the week, with chances for
showers and thunderstorms increasing late in the week into next
weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM (Through 12Z/6AM Tuesday)...Mid level ridging
centered across the Intermountain region will maintain a mild and
dry airmass through the short term period. Temperatures will
trend slightly warmer heading into Labor day, running slightly
above climo for early September. With this daytime heating,
cumulus development can be expected across the higher terrain,
and a stray afternoon shower or thunderstorms can`t be ruled out
most likely over the Uintas.

.LONG TERM (After 12Z/6AM Tuesday), Issued 405 AM Sunday...Dry,
quiet conditions will transition to more active weather as
moisture gradually increases through the long-term period,
particularly across southern Utah. On Tuesday, the ridge overhead
will shift slightly eastward as a shortwave trough well to our
west draws moisture northward mainly into eastern NV. Being on the
fringe of this moisture, southwestern Utah could see isolated
thunderstorms as early as Tuesday afternoon, with dry microbursts
as the main threat.

Moisture will continue to gradually increase across the forecast
area through the week, with PWATs reaching 110-130% of normal by
Thursday across western and central Utah. Model guidance continues
to hint at a secondary moisture increase over the weekend, though
plenty of uncertainty remains regarding its magnitude and overall
timing. As is common with monsoonal surges, the main weather
impacts will transition from dry microbursts into more of a flash
flood threat later in the week and into the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...KSLC...The SLC terminal will see VFR conditions
through the evening with mostly clear skies. Northwest winds are
expected to shift to the southeast between 03Z and 05Z.

.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...The airspace will see VFR
conditions through the evening with some scattered cumulus over
the higher terrain through the early evening. Winds will be
generally light and diurnally driven.

- Additional Information:

According to the NTSB's Safety Alert, "Mastering Mountain Flying", training is essential for mountain flying safety...

The problem:

• Pilots with limited or no training in mountain flying can be surprised about their aircraft’s different performance at high density altitude, often leading to serious or fatal accidents. 
• Wind and other weather phenomena interacting with mountainous terrain often lead unsuspecting pilots into situations that are beyond their capabilities. 
• Should a crash occur, a pilot who survives the crash but does not have emergency or survival gear immediately accessible may not survive the harsh environment until rescuers are able to reach the location.

What can pilots and flight instructors do? 

Through training, pilots can develop skills and techniques that will allow them to safely fly in mountainous terrain. When planning flights in mountainous terrain, pilots and flight instructors should do the following to enhance safety: 

• Flight instructors should encourage their students to attend a quality mountain flying course before attempting flight in mountainous terrain or at high density altitudes. 
• Pilots should consult with local flight instructors before planning a flight into mountainous terrain. Even experienced mountain pilots may not be familiar with local conditions and procedures for safe operations. 
• Pilots should be aware that weather interacting with mountainous terrain can cause dangerous wind, severe turbulence, and other conditions that may be unsafe for aircraft, especially light GA aircraft. 
• Pilots should consider specialized emergency and survival equipment (such as personal locator beacons in addition to a 406 emergency locator transmitter) before flying in mountainous terrain, and develop a plan for immediate access to the equipment in the event of a postaccident fire. 
• FBO staff should be alert for customers who appear to be planning flight into mountainous terrain who could benefit from mountain flying instruction.