YOSEMITE NATION, CA, USA
N3643W
PIPER PA-32-260
AFTER FLYING LOW OVER YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK THE PIPER PA-32-260, OPERATING AS AN ON-DEMAND PASSENGER FLIGHT, CLIMBED EASTWARD INTO RISING TERRAIN. THE FLIGHT PATH SELECTED BY THE PILOT WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE NORTH AND 1000 FEET HIGHER THAN TIOGA PASS (ELEVATION 9941) FEET). THE DENSITY ALTITUDE CALCUALTED FOR THE ACCIDENT WAS 12,500 AND THE AIRCRAFT'S PUBLISHED SERVICE CEILING IS 12,800 FEET AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE EMPENNAGE STRUCK A BOULDER AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED UP A FIVE DEGREE UPSLOPING RIDGE THEN NOSED INTO THE GROUND. A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE CABIN AND ENGINE NACELLES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
