ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 311729
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| Date: | Sunday 13 September 2020 |
| Time: | 11:30 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna 172 |
| Owner/operator: | Thomas Helman |
| Registration: | N52700 |
| MSN: | 17274583 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1981 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3794 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming " O-320 SERIES" |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Challis National Forest near Indian Springs road, ID -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Thomas Creek 2U8 |
| Stanley, ID 2U7 | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Just prior to take off at Thomas Creek, a very short gravel/dirt forest service runway. The pilot spoke with another pilot who had just landed. Discussing wind and visibility. The other pilot said “visibility looks bad from down here, but clears up once you’re up in the air” Once airborne, visibility decreased to less than 2 miles, the aircraft was not climbing as quickly as the surrounding terrain. The pilot turned left into a canyon, towards a saddle at the top of Indian Springs Road, attempting to increase altitude, but the canyon headwinds shifted, causing the aircraft to begin to stall. The pilot was able to regain control and pull out of the spin resulting in crashing into the mountain side, and trees. The dense smoke, high elevation, warmer temperatures, short runway and shifting winds were all a factor as well as being unfamiliar with the area.
The pilot reported that, while climbing at 500 ft per minute, over mountainous terrain, he made a right turn into the wrong canyon from the flight the day before. Realizing his mistake, and unable to make a course reversal, the terrain was rising faster than the airplane could climb. He attempted a left-hand turn to try for lower terrain, however the airplane stalled and entered a spin. The pilot regained control and put the airplane in level flight just before colliding with trees. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
Tiffany Wellman-Wright (passenger)
NTSB WPR20LA330
Location
Images:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-May-2023 13:13 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 11-Apr-2024 18:25 | Anon. | Updated [Location, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Photo] |
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