- Date
- May 26, 1985, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place
- Selma, OR
- Injuries
- 3 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N2276YCessna 177
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 40047
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The acft was on a cap search mission with a plt & 2 observers on board. While searching, the plt was flying relatively low & slow over wooded, mountainous terrain. A witness observed the acft enter a bowl or box canyon type area at or below his eye level. The terrain in this area rose to the east, north & west. Reportedly, the acft entered the area from the south, then began a 180 deg turn, but collided with trees before the plt was able to exit. The elevation of the crash site was aprx 1600 ft. no preimpact mechanical problems were found that would have contributed to the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2276Y
- Reported as
- Cessna 177
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17700076
- Airframe hours
- 1,392
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A2A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 8, 1985 · 78 hours before
- Departed
- 3S8 · Grants Pass, OR
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 300 total · 150 in this make and model · 300 as pilot in command · 11 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature
- 61 °F