# NTSB SEA86FA215: Cessna T207A, N73569, Frenchglen, OR, August 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1986, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Frenchglen, OR
- Coordinates: 42.720668, -119.11985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7207&lon=-119.1198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ALTHOUGH LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT WITHIN THE GORGE WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MISSION PROFILE THE PILOT ENTERED THE CANYON AND PROCEEDED UPSLOPE TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. 87% OF THE PILOT'S EXTENSIVE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS IN HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT AND HE HAD ACQUIRED AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF ONLY 13 HOURS IN MAKE/MODEL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLIGHTLY OVER ITS GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS EXISTED. DURING THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT THE END OF THE GORGE THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL FOLLOWED. A STALL/SPIN MANEUVER RESULTED PLACING THE AIRCRAFT IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73569](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73569-1987-08-03), registration cancelled 1987-08-03, S/N 20700603, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T207A
- Registry model: [Cessna T207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t207a) (registry code 2073615) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520-M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-m) (registry code 17266, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700603
- Airframe hours: 1235
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Idaho Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Farm Development Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: 26U, MCDERMITT, OR
- Destination: BNO, BURNS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,106 total, 13 in this make and model, 13,871 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNO, 57 nm away

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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