# NTSB SEA87FA027: Cessna U206F, N7311Q, Moose Creek, ID, November 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1986, 11:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: Moose Creek, ID
- Coordinates: 45.900512, -116.129722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9005&lon=-116.1297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA027

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE AND DURING THE INITIAL CRUISE CLIMB THE PLT AND PAX HEARD A METALLIC CLICKING DESCRIBED AS SOUNDING LIKE A 'VALVE TAP' IN AN AUTOMOBILE AND COMING FROM THE ENG AREA. THE PLT EXECUTED AN IMMEDIATE COURSE REVERSAL BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP WHILE STILL WITHIN THE NARROW GORGE OF THE SELWAY RIVER. THE IMMEDIACY OF THE REVERSE TURN WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE PLT'S EXPECTATION OF IMPENDING MECH PROBLEM WITH THE ACFT AS WELL AS ANXIETY OF THE SITUATION AT SUCH A CRITICAL TIME DURING THE FLT. THE TURN AT A RELATIVELY LOW ALT WITHIN THE GORGE NECESSITATED A TIGHT TURN RADIUS AND THUS REDUCED THE RATE OF CLIMB IN AN ALREADY HEAVILY LOADED ACFT. THIS EVENT PLACED THE ACFT IN A POSITION WHEREBY CLEARANCE WITH THE HEAVILY WOODED UPSLOPING SIDES OF THE GORGE WAS NOT POSSIBLE. DISASSEMBLY, INSPECTION AND TESTING (WHERE POSSIBLE) OF THE ENG, PROP AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS, NOR ANY EXPLANATION FOR THE CLICKING NOISE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7311Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7311Q-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N U20602169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20602169
- Airframe hours: 6547
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Grangeville Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: 1U1, MOOSE CREEK, ID
- Destination: S80, GRANGEVILLE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,150 total, 1,010 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles

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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