The commercial pilot was flying in night, visual meteorological conditions when he flew the Cessna 525 toward his home in Payson City, Utah.
The airplane hit a garage across the street and continued until it hit the front of his home. The pilot died in the crash.
An examination of the airplane found no anomalies with the flight controls that would have contributed to the accident.
According to information provided by the officials from the Payson City Police Department, the pilot had been arrested for domestic violence the previous afternoon. After bail was posted for the pilot, an officer from the Payton City Police Department escorted the pilot to his house so that he could retrieve some items. The officer reported that the pilot did not talk to his wife but told his son to go sleep elsewhere. The officer added that the pilot told his son to “leave the porch lights on for me.” The pilot then left the house.
Toxicology testing revealed the presence of a medication used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some eating disorders, and panic attacks. The pilot did not report the use of this medication to the FAA.
The pilot had a known history of depression, anxiety, and anger management issues. The circumstances of the accident were consistent with the pilot’s intentional flight into his home.
Probable cause: The pilot’s intentional flight into his residence.
NTSB Identification: CEN18FA326
This August 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
“…the pilot did not report the use of this medication to the Federal Aviation Administration.”
So, for those who say the FAA doesn’t do enough to prevent these events… Just how intrusive should the FAA be to “prevent” this type of accident from “ever happening again”? Sheesh. The guy lied on his medical. FAA medicals already are very intrusive. I prefer not to criticize when I know I really DON’T want every word on my medical application nit picked.
What a sad and total travesty. So many losses. Domestic violence…just about any heated argument or perception can be construed as “domestic violence”. You catch your spouse messing around on you and in the heat of discussion tempers flair. No physical contact needed. One can be construed as being domestically violent. Based on perceptions, you are forcibly removed from your home, guns are seized from you, children are kept from you and now you are forced with going broke over representation by all the fine compassionate lawyers out there. Why, because your love of your life decided she wanted more excitement in her life. It’s not wise to make rash judgements of others actions when you don’t have a clue or have not walked in one’s shoes.
Or just maybe he was a real violent, abusive jerk and had a history of beating the crap out of wife, or berating his kid and terrifying his family. The pilot had a known history of depression, anxiety, and anger management issues.
It’s not wise to make rash judgements of others’ actions when you don’t have a clue about the circumstances.
Base on the report he only succeeded in killing himself, wrecking a house and an airplane, and I’ll go out on a limb here and add traumatizing his entire family and neighbors.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/08/13/plane-crash-payson-utah-duane-youd-flies-into-own-home-police-say/980591002/
What a waste of a perfectly good airplane.
“The pilot had a known history of depression, anxiety, and anger management issues” so say how the FAA plays a safety role for aviation again?
The FAA plays a safety role for aviation.
Good one
Be careful what you wish for – you may get it.
The FAA henceforth will require a full psychological evaluation before each flight, take a number for faster service, the exam will take approximately two hours and your number is 367, now serving number four. Disqualifying conditions may include but are not limited to body odor (indicates possible lack of personal hygiene), unapproved political attitudes, late payment of your cable bill, parking head-out instead of head-in, having more or fewer than the federally approved 2.3 children in your family, hair too long or too short (in the sole opinion of the examiner) and the examiner’s decision is final and may not be appealed. There will be a non-refundable charge of $150 for each examination, cash or certified check only, no credit or debit cards allowed. Three forms of positive identification required.
The ONLY reason this tragedy even appeared in GAN is because the guy used an airplane. If he had used a car, a gun or a pogo stick, we’d never have seen it.
You know that’s right!!!!
Like a parent, you can only do so much. The individual decides on the path he/she takes in life…or death.
Domestic violence. Crazy people do crazy things.
If by crazy you mean insane, this person was unlikely to have been insane. Domestic violence problems can happen to anyone, even you or me, and our reactions can be very surprising.
And he probably missed his target, his wife.