Wednesday, June 02, 2021

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N1727T: Fatal accident occurred May 29, 2021 in Eden, Weber County, 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.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 
ATP Flight School; Jacksonville Beach, Florida 

Flight Operations Aircraft LLC


Location: Eden, UT 
Accident Number: WPR21FA211
Date & Time: May 29, 2021, 10:00 Local
Registration: N1727T
Aircraft: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 172S
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On May 29, 2021, about 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N1727T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Eden, Utah. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

According to the airplane operator, ATP Flight School, this was an introductory training flight designed to assess the student’s skill level. Preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that the instructor and student pilot departed the flight school’s local base at Ogden Hinckley Airport (OGD), Ogden, Utah about 0941 and immediately turned to an easterly heading. The ADS-B data ceased 5 nm east of the departure airport at 0946, and was subsequently picked up by radar 9 nm east of OGD at 0949. The airplane flew south of Pineview Reservoir and then turned northwest while maintaining an altitude of about 2,000 ft above ground level (agl). At 0955 the airplane turned to the northeast into a canyon where it began a climb over rising terrain. In the next 60 seconds, the airplane descended to about 1,000 ft agl (or about 7,550 mean sea level (msl)), and below ridgelines on either side of its flight path. The track data ceased at 0956:40. 

The airplane was located in mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 8,000 ft msl. All major sections of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The debris field was small and comprised of mostly windshield fragments. The first point of impact was marked by a tree located 30 feet west of the main wreckage, which came to rest on a northerly heading and was consumed by postimpact fire.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 
Registration: N1727T
Model/Series: 172S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOGD,4439 ft msl 
Observation Time: 09:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C /-4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: Unknown
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.361298,-111.75961 

Figure 1: Flight Track of Accident Airplane


Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Saturday, May 29 was Devin’s first flight in what was supposed to blossom into a career of being a pilot. Braeden was Devin’s flight instructor for the introductory flight. Devin was a student at Utah State and wanted to pursue a career of becoming a pilot.  Braeden was just kick-starting his career off as a young pilot while going to school full time to get his bachelor’s degree.

Devin Criddle



Devin’s family says he was a wonderful son with an energetic personality.

“Our family is heartbroken over the loss of Devin. He was an amazing man that constantly put the needs of others first. Grief is the price we pay for loving someone, and that price is worth it. We also grieve with the loved ones of the pilot of the plane, Braedan Raleigh, and pray for them. Devin was a wonderful son, brother, and friend. He dreamed of becoming a pilot and this flight was his first step on that path. We will dearly miss his energetic personality and compassionate disposition, but we have faith in the eternal nature of our family and we look forward to our reunion with Devin. We are grateful to all those who are supporting and comforting our family through this difficult time.”

Devin leaves behind his parents and four siblings.

Braedan Raleigh 


Braeden’s family says everyone adored him and looked up to him.

“Our hearts are broken by the unexpected passing of our son, brother, uncle, and grandson. Braedan had a passion for life that was infectious. He was kind, loving, funny, selfless, driven and had so much going for him. Flying brought so much joy and meaning to his life. All that knew Braedan adored and looked up to him. He was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed. We are all so proud of the young man he became and all that he had accomplished in his young life. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Criddle family during this very difficult time.“

2 comments:

  1. God bless both these young men. They both have now truly earned their wings.

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  2. Devin was late for his sister's birthday party when his parents received the call about this tragic event. They all had trepidations about Devin's ambitions to take this discovery flight, but knew he had to try it. Braedan's mother reached out to me for Devan's parent's phone number to introduce herself and sharing of indescribable grief. The families have helped each other heal through all of this, but it's never forgotten. Our hearts will forever be heavy knowing the pain these families endured in losing their children. God Bless.

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