Outboard Wing Sections Broke Off, Ailerons Also Separated

An airplane that went down in southwestern Utah in October, killing two brothers, broke apart in mid-flight, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The NTSB has released a preliminary report into the crash that killed Benjamin and James Timpson of Centennial Park, AZ. The single-engine Piper Arrow (type shown below) crashed the evening of October 26 near Colorado City, AZ.

According to the prelim, the airplane was flying from Bountiful, in Davis County, to Colorado City when it experienced an in-flight loss of control, broke up and then crashed into mountainous terrain about 21 miles southeast of Cedar City.

"The airplane was destroyed during the in-flight breakup and post-impact ground fire," the report said. "The entire instrument panel, cockpit and cabin were destroyed by fire, along with several acres of adjacent native vegetation on the mountainside, elevation 6,400 feet mean sea level."

An NTSB investigator examined the crash scene and noted the "outboard portions of both wings separated from the inbound span of the wings, which remained attached to the fuselage."

"The ailerons were found separated from the wings," the report said

The NTSB said recorded air data showed the plane left Bountiful at 6:15 pm on October 29, heading south toward Colorado City's airport.

"Thereafter, the rate of descent increased as the airplane reversed its course. The main wreckage was located about 1/3 mile from the airplane's last radar recorded position," said the preliminary report.

FMI: Read The Full Preliminary Report