# NTSB SEA96LA169: Cessna 172M, N61842, Nez Perce, ID, July 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1996, 20:35 local (Jul 26, 1996, 03:35 UTC) - Place: Nez Perce, ID - Coordinates: 46.280342, -116.229423 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2803&lon=-116.2294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42430 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42430/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA169 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper in-flight decision to turn up a canyon, which the aircraft was unable to out-climb. Factors relating to the accident were: high ambient temperature, high density altitude, blind/box canyon, and trees in the area where the aircraft's climb profile caused it to come in contact with the raising terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - temperature,high (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis After takeoff, the pilot elected to turn up a valley which would provide the most direct route to his destination. Once committed to that route of flight, he realized that the aircraft could not out-climb the rising terrain. He attempted to land the aircraft at the point where its climb gradient intersected the terrain, but it impacted trees during his attempted emergency landing. Later calculations determined the density altitude to be approximately 5,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1996, approximately 2035 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N61842, registered to Inter State Aviation, Inc., and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an intentional emergency landing in wooded terrain near Nez Perce, Idaho. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Kooskia, Idaho, approximately 2025. The pilot reported that after takeoff, he elected to turn up a creek drainage that would give him a more direct route to his destination. After committing to that route of flight, he realized that the aircraft's climb performance was not sufficient to clear the surrounding terrain. Because the canyon he was in was too narrow for him to reverse course, he elected to execute a forced landing at the point where the aircraft's climb gradient intersected the raising terrain. While attempting to fly the aircraft onto the terrain, he collided with trees. The elevation of the crash site was determined to be 2,700 feet above mean sea level, and the temperature was estimated to be 85 degrees. Computer generated calculations determined the density altitude to be approximately 5,000 feet. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that the accident could have been completely avoided by, "...using better, more conservative judgment, and climbing out over the Clearwater River valley, which is plenty wide and certainly has much better emergency-landing spots." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61842](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61842), registered now, S/N 17264836, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264836 - Airframe hours: 5778 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Inter State Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1996, 61 hours before - Departed: S82, KOOSKIA, ID - Destination: PUW, PULLMAN, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 18 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19960725047299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960725047299A), Jul 25, 1996: Cessna 172M, Kooskia, ID, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot turned up a canyon that he was unfamiliar with and was unable to turn aroud or climb out after being caught in a downdraft. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.