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 Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in mountainous terrain.
1st West Aviation Inc
Date: 04-JAN-23
Time: 22:51:00Z
Regis#: N814WT
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA34
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: NEW HARMONY
State: UTAH
Fred W. Jones was born September 26, 1952 in Murray, Utah and passed away on January 4, 2023 doing what he loved. Fred was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, who devoted his life to providing a wonderful life for his family. He was hardworking, innovative, a real forward thinker who was successful with everything he touched.
Doing things the right way was Fred's way. Fred was always tinkering or working on something with a screw driver and paper towel in his back pocket. He had a passion for real estate, developing and seeing things grow and flourish from the start. He enjoyed the rewards of hard work and could be seen frequently working in his immaculate yard.
Fred loved snow skiing, water skiing, golfing, Maui, snorkeling, playing his guitars, his home in St. George and being a private pilot. Fred found great pleasure in teasing his grandchildren and loved them with all of his heart. He was a pillar of strength for his family and friends and was daily teaching his children and grandchildren in all aspects of life. Fred was never afraid to tell you what he thought; and if you needed a protector or fighter, he would be right along your side.
Fred was a member of the Petroleum Equipment Institute, where he served on many boards and committees over the last 50 years. Fred was an icon in the Petroleum Equipment industry and well recognized by his peers.
Fred was an active member in his community serving on the Murray City Council in the late 1990's. He is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who dedicated his time and talents to several bishoprics, high council positions and an inner city mission in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Fred loved serving in the Temple and was currently serving with his wife, Andrea, in the Jordan River Temple.
Fred married Linda Allred Jones on August 18, 1972, and had two beautiful daughters and four grandchildren. Fred and Linda worked hard together for 43 years until she passed away on February 3, 2015.
Fred married Andrea Felt Howell on August 29, 2020. Together they traveled, golfed, and planned new adventures. They were looking forward to more travel and were planning on serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their companionship was easy, effortless and fun. We are sad that their adventures together were cut short.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, A. Lynn Jones and Opal Swallow; his wife, Linda Allred Jones; and his brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Sharon Jones.
He is survived by his children: Kristy (Ted) Soffe and Jesica (Ryan)Taylor; grandchildren: Cole (Tova) Taylor (with one on the way), Carter Taylor, Meg (Kade) Soffe Brasher, and Carson Soffe; step- children: Megan (Michael) Bennett, Rachel (Jordan) Howell, Robert Howell, Lauren Howell, and Rachel Howell; step-grandchildren: James, Ella and Henry Bennett, Abigail, Stockton, Miriam, and Ethan Howell; siblings: Janice (Larry) Pehrson, and Mark (Karen) Jones.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to one of the following charities. These charities have provided support to Fred's grandchildren over the years: Shriners Children's Hospital and Autism Speaks. Scroll down the page for the links.
We also want to thank all the first responders, search and rescue teams and the good Samaritans of New Harmony that provided us love and support. Special thanks to Lon and Donna Young for all their assistance.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at the Holladay 4th Ward Chapel located at 4917 S. Viewmont Street, Holladay, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30–11:30 a.m. Interment will be at Murray City Cemetery.
To watch the webcast live of the funeral services, please go to www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Fred W. Jones
1952 ~ 2023
NEW HARMONY, Utah (ABC4) — The pilot of a small-engine aircraft was killed after the plane crashed in southern Utah on Wednesday, January 4.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a call at approximately 8:30 p.m. about a pilot flying a small-engine aircraft who did not land at their destination after taking off around 2:30 p.m. from St. George. The last known location of the aircraft was in a remote area just north of New Harmony and south of the Iron-Washington County border.
The Washington County and Iron County Sheriff’s Offices as well as a helicopter with the Utah Department of Public Safety responded and searched the area on Wednesday, but they were unable to locate the crash site.
On Jan. 5, members of the Washington County Search and Rescue Team and the DPS helicopter went back to search the area, and they were able to locate the crash site within the GPS area. Local and federal investigators responded to the scene and recovered a body.
The identity of the pilot will be withheld for now, per the family’s request.
Investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
“We are grateful for the successful multi-agency collaboration in locating the crash site and recovering the pilot, including the New Harmony Fire Department for providing the fire station to host the command center for this operation,” the sheriff’s office states.

