# NTSB SEA03LA190: Cessna 182, N5547B, Challis, ID, September 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 2003, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Challis, ID - Coordinates: 44.645278, -114.862777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6453&lon=-114.8628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57938/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=57938 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering. Factors include mountainous terrain and trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was en route to a remote airstrip located in mountainous terrain. A witness to the accident stated that the pilot of the accident airplane turned south of course "up the first drainage" and began a descent into the canyon. The witness communicated to the accident pilot that he was in the wrong canyon, stating over the radio "get out of there now". Shortly after the radio call, the witness observed the accident pilot initiate a turn to the left. Approximately 170 degrees into the turn, the airplane impacted a large tree near the canyon's edge. After colliding with the tree, the airplane caught fire and subsequently impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. Search and rescue personnel located the wreckage in a heavily wooded drainage valley approximately seven miles northwest of the intended destination. The narrow valley is bordered by steep rising terrain. Post-accident inspection and teardown of the airplane's engine revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 2003, about 1150 mountain daylight time, a tail-wheel equipped 1956 Cessna 182, N5547B, was destroyed after colliding with forested terrain near Upper Loon Creek Airstrip, approximately 27 miles west of Challis, Idaho. The airplane was owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot-in-command and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight originated from Indian Creek Airstrip, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot's planned destination was Upper Loon Creek Airstrip (U72). A witness reported that the accident airplane was the lead aircraft of a flight of two that departed Johnson Creek (3U2) about 1030 local. The pilot planned an intermediate stop at Indian Creek (S81) with a final destination of Upper Loon Creek. Following the intermediate stop, the accident aircraft departed Indian Creek for its final destination (U72) approximately 15 nautical miles to the east, southeast. The witness, who was piloting the number two airplane, stated that the accident aircraft climbed to approximately 8,000 feet (MSL) while flying down the river from Indian Creek. He stated that about four miles south of Thomas Creek (2U8), the pilot of the accident airplane turned south "up the first drainage" and began a descent into the canyon. The witness communicated to the accident pilot that he was in the wrong canyon, stating over the radio "get out of there now". Shortly after the radio call, the witness observed the accident pilot initiate a turn to the left. Approximately 170 degrees into the turn, the airplane impacted a large tree near the canyon's edge. After colliding with the tree, the airplane caught fire and subsequently impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. Reference attached map for additional information. Search and rescue personnel located the wreckage in a heavily wooded drainage valley approximately seven miles northwest of Upper Loon Creek. The narrow valley is bordered by steep rising terrain. Post-accident inspection and teardown of the airplane's engine revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure. See attached report for additional information. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5547B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5547B-2004-06-30), registration cancelled 2004-06-30, S/N 33547, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33547 - Airframe hours: 5985 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenley B. Gore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2003 - Departed: S81, Indian Creek, ID - Destination: U72, Upper Loon Cr, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: fatal; flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 11, 2003; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: LLJ, 33 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030913023739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913023739A), Sep 13, 2003: Cessna 182, Challis, ID, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-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.… ## Other investigations on N5547B (2) 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 LAX83LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA238), May 20, 1983: Cessna 182 (N5547B), Riverside, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X0468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0468), Feb 5, 1964: Cessna 182 (N5547B), Northbrook, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=57938. 3.4 MB in all. - Witness Statement (item 1, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40220057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Maps (item 2, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40220058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Engine Report (item 3, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 5, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.