# Accident 20030913023739A: Cessna 182, Challis, ID, September 13, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 13, 2003, 12:40 local time
- Place: Challis, ID
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.6453° N, 114.8628° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6453&lon=-114.8628&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5547B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5547B-2004-06-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 182 (registry code 2072702, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Reported engine: CONT O470*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 12,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA190) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913023739A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ON A FISHING TRIP IN THE WILDERNESS AREA OF CENTRAL IDAHO. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY FRIENDS WHO WERE FLYING IN ANOTHER AIRCRAFT. BOTH AIRCRAFT HAD STOPPED AT ONE BACK COUNTRY AIRPORT AND WERE PROCEEDING TO UPPER LOON CREEK IN TWO DIFFERENT AIRCRAFT TO CONTINUE THE FISHING TRIP. THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT LED THE FLIGHT BECAUSE HE SAID HE HAD UPPER LOON CREEK SET IN HIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM. ENROUTE, THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING INTO THE DRAINAGE FOR A LANDING AT UPPER LOON CREEK AIRPORT. THE PILOT OF THE FOLLOWING AIRCRAFT TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONVINCE THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT PILOT THAT HE WAS DESCENDING INTO THE WRONG DRAINAGE. HE CALLED IN DESPERATION FOR HIS FRIEND TO CLIMB OUT OF THE CANYON BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE AIRPORT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO FLY INTO THE SIDE OF THE STEEP CANYON WALL AND EXPLODE ON IMPACT. THE TWO PILOTS IN THE TWO DIFFERENT AIRCRAFT WERE IN COMMUNICATION FOR THE ENTIRE FLIGHT AND THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT. THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE. PILOT DATA IS ONLY BEST ESTIMATE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA03LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA190), Sep 13, 2003: Cessna 182 (N5547B), Challis, ID, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering. Factors include mountainous terrain and trees.

## Other reports on N5547B (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19830520020509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830520020509A), May 20, 1983: Cessna 182 (N5547B), Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. Hand started engine with a novice at controls. Aircraft rolled into hangar wall.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.