# NTSB SEA85FA113: Cessna 177RG, N1815Q, Murphy, ID, May 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1985, 06:36 local (12:36 UTC)
- Place: Murphy, ID
- Coordinates: 43.080734, -116.520278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0807&lon=-116.5203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40043
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40043/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA113

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEF INDICATING A RECENT FRONTAL PASSAGE IN THE AREA WITH STRONG WINDS AND TRUBULENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THUNDERSHOWERS ALONG THE INITIAL ROUTE OF FLIGHT UNTIL CLEAR OF THE OWYHEE MOUNTAINS. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. RADAR TRACKED THE ACFT TARGET SOUTH INTO THE MOUNTAINS WHERE IT DISAPPEARED. ANALYSIS OF RADAR DATA SHOWS THE TARGET CIRCLING BEFORE DISAPPEARING. WITNESSES AT BOISE, IDAHO AIRPORT STATED OWYHEE MOUNTAINS, NORMALLY VISIBLE FROM THE ARPT, WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE. RELATIVES INDICATED A BUSINESS MEETING WAS SCHEDULED FOR THAT MORNING AT DESTINATION. INVESTIGATION SHOWED ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN IN DESCENDING LEFT TURN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1815Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0215
- Airframe hours: 2038
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.L. Stimpson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984, 48 hours before
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Destination: 307, HOLLISTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,220 total, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 40 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 19850514017899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850514017899A), May 14, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Murphy, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with mountainous terrain. Obscured tops and frontal activity a factor for the VFR pilot.

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.

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