# NTSB SEA95LA117: Cessna 175, N7142M, Challis, ID, June 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1995, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Challis, ID
- Coordinates: 44.65044, -114.14965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6504&lon=-114.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA117

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT/PLANNING PREPARATION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DOWNDRAFT AND TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEPARTING FROM AN AIRPORT LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA THAT IS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND STEEPLY SLOPING TERRAIN.  THE PREFERRED RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE, WHEN WIND CONDITIONS PERMIT, IS RUNWAY 04, WHICH SLOPES DOWNHILL AND HAS LOWER TERRAIN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 04 WITH A TAILWIND.  THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DESCENDED INTO TREES.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 1995, at 1130 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 175, N7142M, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from the Upper Loon Creek airstrip located 26 miles west of Challis, Idaho.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he was taking off from runway 4 with an approximate 10 knot tailwind.  During the takeoff roll, on the gravel strip, the airplane lifted off and began to gain altitude. The pilot stated that at the end of the runway, the airplane encountered a severe down draft and descended into trees near the end of the runway.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

The Idaho Airport Facilities Directory states under the remarks section: "Recommend land rwy 22, depart rwy 4 when wind conditions permit."  The runway is surrounded by trees and steeply sloping mountainous terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7142M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7142M-1997-04-28), registration cancelled 1997-04-28, S/N 55442 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55442
- Airframe hours: 3353
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-C 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bredfield, Theodore C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1995, 8 hours before
- Destination: MYL, MCCALL, ID
- Airport: U72, Upper Loon Creek, runway 4, 2,350 × 20 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19950611030799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950611030799A), Jun 11, 1995: Cessna 175, Challis, ID, Substantial damage. Took off downwind. Encountered downdraft on climbout. Settled into trees. Afd recomends runway 04 when wind permits

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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