Sunday, April 24, 2022

Diamond DA40 Diamond Star, N321PF: Fatal accident occurred April 23, 2022 in Cedar City, Iron County, Utah

Danielle DeAgostini, Thomas Eatchel, Lindsay Eatchel, Steven Eatchel.



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. 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Lycoming Engines; Phoenix, Arizona
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Diamond Aircraft


Location: Cedar City, Utah
Accident Number: WPR22FA164
Date and Time: April 23, 2022, 18:48 Local 
Registration: N321PF
Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA40
Injuries: 4 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 23, 2022, about 1848 mountain daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft, DA 40, N321PF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Cedar City, Utah. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The operator reported that the pilot rented the airplane with the intent to fly a multi-leg round robin cross county flight from his home base of Spanish Fork Municipal Airport/Woodhouse Field (SPK), Spanish Fork, Utah. The pilot planned route of flight included intermediate stops at Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC), Bryce Canyon Airport (BCE), Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY), Carbon County Regional Airport/Buck Davis Field (PUC), before returning to SPK.

The operator stated that the airplane departed SPK on the first leg of the flight with about 40 gallons of fuel.

Recorded airport surveillance video at CDC showed the accident airplane land at 1615 hours and taxi to the self-serve fuel pumps. The pilot and passengers disembarked, and the pilot refueled the airplane, adding about 14 gallons of fuel. The pilot and passengers subsequently boarded the airplane and taxied toward the runway.

A pilot rated witness, who was driving down Cedar Canyon (westbound) on State Highway 14, reported that he observed what is believed to be the accident airplane flying up the canyon over the river, about 300 ft above ground level (agl). The witness stated that as the airplane was about to pass over their position, it turned left and then right, and that the maneuvers were quick and more like a rocking motion. The witness added that propeller appeared to be under power and not windmilling.

A second witness, who was traveling on State Highway 14 near the accident site, reported that they observed an airplane believed to be the accident airplane flying on an easterly heading, over the highway, about 200-300 ft above the ground (agl). The witness stated that other than being low, the airplane did not appear to be in distress, however; his vehicle windows were up, and he could not hear the airplane’s engine. After the airplane passed over their position, he looked in the mirror and saw the airplane “bank really hard to the south, back across the highway” as if the airplane were trying to turn around in the narrow canyon. The witness stated that at that point, the airplane’s wings appeared to be almost vertical and the airplane “didn’t look like it had enough speed to pull off that maneuver.”

First responders later located the airplane wreckage while responding to a vegetation fire.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted mountainous terrain along the southern edge of a canyon about 7 miles southeast of the CDC. The airplane came to rest inverted, on a magnetic heading of about 289°, at an elevation of 6,583 ft mean sea level. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a tall tree that had damaged limbs near the top of the tree. The debris path was oriented on a magnetic heading of about 294° and was about 150 ft in length from the FIPC to main wreckage. All major structural components of the airplane were located throughout the debris path The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC
Registration: N321PF
Model/Series: DA40
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCDC,5590 ft msl 
Observation Time: 18:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C /-8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 9500 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Cedar City, UT 
Destination: Bryce Canyon, UT (BCE)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 3 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.64785,-112.97382

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in mountainous terrain and post impact fire. 

Date: 24-APR-22
Time: 00:48:00Z
Regis#: N321PF
Aircraft Make: DIAMOND
Aircraft Model: DA40
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 4
Flight Crew: 1 fatal
Pax: 3 fatal 
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: SIGHT SEEING
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: CEDAR CITY
State: UTAH

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.


Thomas Eatchel


SALT LAKE CITY – The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report of April’s fatal plane crash in Iron County hints at odd maneuvers before the crash.

According to the two witnesses, they noticed the plane making maneuvers that seemed abnormal.

The first witness said that the plane was about to pass him on State Highway 14 but turned quickly and was in a “rocking motion.” He added that the propeller looked underpowered and was not working right.

The second witness supported these events and saw the plane “bank really hard to the south, back across the highway” as if it was trying to turn around in the canyon. He noticed the plane having speed issues with the wings looking upright and didn’t look fast enough for the turn. 

Both witnesses said the plane was about 200 to 300 feet above the ground when it attempted the turn.

The NTSB report corroborates the timeline of pilot Steven Eatchel and his three passengers, Lindsay Eatchel, Thomas Eatchel, and Danielle Deagostini, leaving for a sightseeing trip starting in Spanish Fork, to Cedar City, then to Bryce Canyon and other locations before returning to Spanish Fork.

The plane crashed upside down into a tree in the canyon, causing it to break apart, according to the report.

The NTSB said this is a preliminary report, and details might change as the investigation continues.



Danielle DeAgostini



CEDAR CITY – The Utah County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday that one of four people killed in a Saturday plane crash near Cedar City was a longtime deputy with the department.

Family members said Steven Eatchel was flying with his wife Lindsey Eatchel, brother Thomas Eatchel and Tom's girlfriend Danielle DeAgostini, to Cedar City to visit another brother.

According to the Iron County Sheriff's Office, the four took off from the Spanish Fork Municipal Airport Saturday afternoon, touched down in Cedar City for a little over an hour, then took off again with plans for a sightseeing tour over Zion National Park.

Just a few minutes after takeoff, the plane crashed five miles outside Cedar City.

Pilot Steven Eatchel has been with the Utah County Sheriff's Office for 12 years, working in courts and corrections at the jail, said Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon.

"When you first hear it, it's like you almost just shake your head and say, 'This can't be real.' And it takes a minute for it to settle in," Cannon said. He said he had just talked to Steven Eatchel three days ago and described the deputy as always working with a smile.

Cannon said the community was well-served by Steven Eatchel, who was committed to his job and was well liked.

"He would work most recently at the Utah County Security Center, when I would see him just a few days ago, at the front desk where the public comes in and he greets them," Cannon explained. "And if I'm going out there to meet media or something, he's there, and I'll chat with him for a couple of minutes."

Those casual chats are now memories shared by deputies who worked with Steven Eatchel. Cannon said everybody is hurting and still having to go to work as they process the loss.

Family posted that the Steven and Lindsay Eatchel leave behind four young children.

"It's a tragedy that's going to stick with us, and the tragedy's compounded by the fact that he's got four kids that he's left behind now, that they've left behind — he and his wife Lindsay," Cannon said. "And It's hard to imagine what it must be like for the rest of the family who are now caring for those children, and how do you explain this to them that mom and dad aren't coming home again? And that's a hard pill to swallow."

In addition to the children losing their parents, the Eatchel family lost two sons/brothers, plus the loss experienced by Lindsay Eatchel and Danielle DeAgostini's families — all in an instant.

The Utah County law enforcement community is processing losing their co-worker and friend, Cannon expressed.

"There will be a hole there to fill and that feeling is going to take a while to go away, especially for those that work more closely with Steve," Cannon said. "You don't get over it. You don't find closure. I think you find a way to work your way through it and learn how to live with it."

As the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigate that crash, family members have set up GoFundMe* fundraisers for the families of Lindsay and Steven Eatchel, as well as for Thomas Eatchel.

*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.


Lindsay and Steven Eatchel
(Photo: Utah County Sheriff's Office)





IRON COUNTY, Utah — The four people killed Saturday in a small plane crash east of Cedar City have been identified by the Iron County Sheriff‘s Office.

The victims were pilot Steven Eatchel and wife Lindsay Eatchel of Springville, Thomas Eatchel of Heber City, and Danielle DeAgostini of Sandy.

Steven Eatchel was a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Lindsay Eatchel was his wife.

“Deputy Eatchel has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for nearly 12 years and was currently assigned in corrections,” a UCSO statement says.  “Steve and Lindsay leave behind four children.

“The Utah County Sheriff’s Office expresses its sincerest condolences to the Eatchel family. His kind manner and ever present smile will be missed.”

The crash

The call came in at 6:47 p.m. Saturday reporting a fire about five miles east of Cedar City, on State Route 14. Iron County Sheriff’s deputies responded, as did Utah Highway Patrol Troopers and Color County Fire personnel.

“Upon arrival, Sheriff deputies made their way toward what they believed to be a fire, and discovered the burning remains of a downed aircraft,” a statement from the Sheriff’s Department says.

“Paramedics from Gold Cross Ambulance, Cedar Fire personnel and members of the Iron County Search & Rescue were dispatched, and arrived on the scene to assist.”

The pilot and three passengers of the Diamond DA40 Diamond Star aircraft were found deceased.

Planned route

Iron County Sheriff officials say the aircraft left Spanish Fork municipal Airport at approximately 2:45 p.m., and arrived at Cedar City Regional Airport at about 4:10 p.m.

After an approximate 2.5 hour layover, the aircraft took off at approximately 6:38 p.m. for a sightseeing tour of Zion National Park, and was following State Route 14, headed east, before radar communication lost the aircraft at 6:42 p.m.

“On scene, deputies stated, based off debris, aircraft orientation and damage to foliage, it appeared the aircraft crashed heading west from an easterly direction,” the ICSO update says. “Investigators from the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, along with investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National, National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a scene investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

“Again, the Iron County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends os of those who lost their lives in this tragic event.”



Thomas Eatchel


The pilot of the plane that crashed in Iron County on April 23, 2022 was identified as Deputy Steven Eatchel of Springville. Eatchel was a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff's Office who officials said worked at the Utah County Jail. 
(Photo: Utah County Sheriff's Office)



IRON COUNTY, Utah — Officials have identified the four people killed in a small plane crash Saturday evening near Cedar City.

Around 7 p.m., authorities received a report of a fire near State Route 14, about five miles east of Cedar City. When police and fire crews responded, they found the burning remains of a Diamond DA40 Diamond Star aircraft.

Four people were on board, and they were all pronounced dead at the scene.

The Iron County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Steven Eatchel of Springville, Lindsay Eatchel of Springville, Thomas Eatchel of Heber City, and Danielle DeAgostini of Sandy.

Steven Eatchel, the pilot, was a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Spencer Cannon told FOX 13 News. He worked in the county jail and had been with the sheriff’s office since 2010. He and Lindsay Eatchel were married, and they leave behind four children.

"The Utah County Sheriff's Office expresses its sincerest condolences to the Eatchel family. His kind manner and ever present smile will be missed," a statement from the sheriff's office read.

According to a press release from the Iron County Sheriff's Office, the plane had flown from the Spanish Fork Municipal Airport to the Cedar Regional Airport Saturday afternoon. The group then took off at 6:38 p.m. for a sightseeing tour of Zion National Park, but radar communication was lost four minutes later. It was flying east along SR-14, but officials said the "debris, aircraft orientation, and damage to foliage" at the crash scene indicated that the plane was going west when it hit the ground.

The sheriff's office, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.

"[T]he Iron County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friend of those who lost their life in this tragic event," the press release read.












CEDAR CITY, Utah — Four people were killed when a small airplane crashed in Cedar Canyon a few miles east of Cedar City on Saturday evening, authorities said.

Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. David Mitchell said the initial call came in shortly before 7 p.m. as a report of a fire in the trees just to the south of state Route 14, at approximately mile marker 6.

When firefighters reached the scene, they found the burning remains of a downed aircraft, Mitchell said.

The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star was occupied by four people, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, he added. 

“Law enforcement is attempting to identify the plane’s occupants at this time,” stated a news release issued by Iron County Sheriff’s Office shortly after midnight on Sunday. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all family members and friends of the deceased.”

Just after 11 p.m., firefighters and other responders had wrapped up the recovery operation and headed back down the canyon to Cedar City.

Mitchell said the state medical examiner’s office has been notified of the incident, as have investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Other details, including the specific airplane involved and its flight path, have not yet been released, but Mitchell said additional information would be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Those responding to the incident included Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Iron County Search and Rescue personnel, Utah Highway Patrol troopers, firefighters and crews from Cedar City Fire Department and Color Country Fire and Gold Cross Ambulance paramedics.