What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On September 25, 2022, privacy data omitted operated privacy data omittedas pilot in command. privacy data omitted Departed concrete airport (3W5) at approximately 1400 local time. During this leg of flight, privacy data omitted plan was to fly south through a major valley, then turn west through a minor drainage towards his destination. privacy data omitted Mistakenly turned into a drainage north of his intended target, with rising terrain, gradually. privacy data omitted Waited too long before realizing his mistake. privacy data omitted Struck trees during his attempt to turn around. Approximate location: 48.41499,-122.02744.
As the FAA filed it
ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2022, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ OPERATED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^AS PILOT IN COMMAND. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED CONCRETE AIRPORT (3W5) AT APPROXIMATELY 1400 LOCAL TIME. DURING THIS LEG OF FLIGHT, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ PLAN WAS TO FLY SOUTH THROUGH A MAJOR VALLEY, THEN TURN WEST THROUGH A MINOR DRAINAGE TOWARDS HIS DESTINATION. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ MISTAKENLY TURNED INTO A DRAINAGE NORTH OF HIS INTENDED TARGET, WITH RISING TERRAIN, GRADUALLY. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAITED TOO LONG BEFORE REALIZING HIS MISTAKE. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STRUCK TREES DURING HIS ATTEMPT TO TURN AROUND. APPROXIMATE LOCATION: 48.41499,-122.02744.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.