Cessna 210 Crash - Payson, AZ - 4 Dead

[CC268]

This one hits close to home...very sad. Sometimes I can't help but re-evaluate this hobby.

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/226815098-story

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Here's the flightaware track:
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N272EF

That track seems to end at KSDL.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

14 miles east of Pine lies 56 nm along a direct route from KSDL to KTEX and at 6500' intersects with terrain on the rim. May they RIP.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Do I have the timing wrong - or do these METARs for KPAN show clear skies at that time?

METAR KPAN 030455Z AUTO 08003KT 10SM CLR 01/M00 A3017 RMK
AO2=
SA 03/01/2017 04:35->
METAR KPAN 030435Z AUTO 09004KT 10SM CLR 01/M00 A3017 RMK
AO2=
SA 03/01/2017 04:15->
METAR KPAN 030415Z AUTO 06004KT 10SM CLR 01/M00 A3016 RMK
AO2=

Automated observations I realize.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

From the original FlightAware track they had been as high as 7800' and then were descending. I suspect he might have been between layers and was trying to stay VMC.

Or maybe trying to scoot over a low point on the edge of the rim? Terrain then descends again to the northeast.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Yes, the times are apparently wrong.

They departed SDL around 9am. Thus apparently happened in the morning not evening.

Thanks, I stand corrected. So 3000' overcast reported or about 8100' MSL. Barely above the top of the rim near there.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Is anyone else bothered by the idea that you can be openly tracked on FlightAware by your ADS-B signal alone?

Yes, somewhat, though despite being a rather strong privacy advocate, I have pretty much given up all hope of any privacy with respect to flying.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

I still wonder about icing in this situation. I am a new instrument rated pilot and so am looking for safe IMC to practice in. That very morning I had considered a flight north from Phoenix but was worried the freezing levels were too low for my Cardinal.

In this crash the pilot descended and accelerated, going straight, prior to impact. And it appears the plane broke up in flight from the photos.