Three Lost In Desert Accident

Three people died when a Piper Cherokee went down in Tooele County, UT Wednesday. The crash site is about 50 miles from the Nevada border near Clive, UT just a couple of miles north of I-80, according to KSL Channel 5 News.

The plane was due to arrive in Salt Lake City about 9 pm MST Wednesday, county spokesman Wade Mathews said. The flight between the Wendover Airport and Salt Lake City usually takes about 60 minutes. It was reported overdue at 1:35 a.m. Thursday, and Utah Civil Air Patrol was called to help find it.

The CAP squadron discovered the plane at about 7:15 am Thursday. It's estimated the crash scene is about 500 yards wide, and pieces are scattered. There were storms in the area Wednesday night.

Those on board the plane have been identified as Jehrid Miller, 37, and his wife, Angela Miller, 35, of Sandy, UT and pilot Eric Henderson, 39.

Authorities believe the Millers had chartered the flight for a same-day trip to Wendover and back, Mathews said. The couple has two children who were staying friends while they were on the trip, he said. Wednesday was reportedly Angela Miller's birthday, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

The single-engine aircraft was discovered approximately 75 miles west of Salt Lake City. It is registered to Cherokee Flyers Inc. of Murray, a Salt Lake City suburb.

Investigators say the plane was found crushed and lying on its top, with the wings separated from the plane, Mathews said. It's believed the wings came off the plane while it was still in flight.

FMI: www.faa.gov