On August 13, 2022, two people died and five others were injured when a single-engine Cessna 207A crashed into Lake Powell near the Arizona-Utah border. The fatal crash happened near Face Canyon at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time.
According to Utah authorities, the Cessna was carrying six French tourists on a sightseeing tour when something went wrong. The pilot told air traffic controllers that there was an issue with the engine before the plane went down in Lake Powell, according to a statement from the Kane County Sheriff's Office. The pilot and witnesses to the crash extricated four of the passengers from the wreckage before it sank. Two of the others remained inside the submerged plane and died.
Three of the passengers who sustained serious injuries in the crash were airlifted to St. George Regional Hospital in Utah. Two others with minor injuries were taken to Page Hospital in Arizona.
The National Park Service found the wreckage in about 120 feet of water. Divers with the Utah Department of Public Safety recovered the bodies of the deceased passengers.
The victims of the Lake Powell crash have not yet been identified.
What Caused the Lake Powell Plane Crash?
Authorities from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the plane crash near the Utah-Arizona border. According to Timothy A. Loranger, aviation attorney and senior shareholder at Wisner Baum, officials will need to determine what issue the pilot faced prior to the fatal crash. In order to answer this question, Loranger says the investigative team will analyze the wreckage, review the flight data, and examine the maintenance records. The investigation will also interview the pilot to learn more about what happened.
“While it’s too early in the process to speculate, it’s concerning that the pilot notified ATC about an issue with the engine,” says Loranger. “Was the aircraft and its engine properly maintained? Did the pilot properly address the emergency while flying the aircraft? The victims and their families need and deserve to know what caused this tragedy.”
A preliminary report on the crash is expected within the next month. The final report outlining the cause (or causes) of the crash will take at least a year to complete.
Cessna 207A Plane Crash Stats
According to government data, the Cessna 207A plane has been involved in dozens of incidents and accidents.
- Total Cessna 207A Accidents / Incidents – 64
- Total Cessna 207A Fatal Accidents – 19
- Total Cessna 207A Deaths – 55
Aviation Attorneys with Experience Litigating Cessna Plane Crash Cases
Aviation accident lawyers from the award-winning law firm of Wisner Baum have litigated dozens of cases involving Cessna aircraft. Since 1990, our firm has pursued justice and compensation for victims of dozens of Cessna small plane crashes throughout the country, including crashes in Arizona.
Our legal team knows what it takes to gather evidence and determine whether maintenance issues, air traffic controller negligence, pilot error, defective parts, manufacturing issues, or other factors were involved in an aviation accident. We have a proven track record of success vigorously pursuing claims on behalf of victims and their families to maximize compensation and hold any negligent parties accountable for failing to keep air passengers safe.
Some of the reasons clients choose our firm is because we have:
- Won over half a billion in verdicts and settlements for aviation accident victims
- Settled over 150 aviation cases for $1 million or more.
- Secured the first ever official public apology from an airline after a fatal plane crash.
- Represented clients from six continents and 29 countries.
If you would like more information about pursuing a plane crash lawsuit, contact us or call (855) 948-5098. Our legal team offers free and confidential case evaluations.