# NTSB WPR24LA315: Cessna 172P, N54829, Kooskia, ID, September 26, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 26, 2024, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Kooskia, ID - Coordinates: 46.327919, -115.0702 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3279&lon=-115.0702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 195225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195225/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195225 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA315 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to descend into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that while enroute he chose to descend and perform a low pass over an airstrip located within a canyon. After the airplane overflew the airstrip, the pilot realized the airplane’s climb performance was insufficient to clear the rising terrain in its flight path. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees and terrain, resulting substantial damage to its wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54829](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54829), registered now, S/N 17275059, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275059 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 18682.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aviate LLC DBA, doing business as Glass Cockpit Aviation - Registered owner: Aviate LLC DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 2024 - Departed: BOI, Boise, ID - Airport: S92, Fish Lake Usfs, runway 23, 2,650 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 128.7 total, 106.3 in this make and model, 45.1 as pilot in command, 7.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KP69, 58 nm away ## 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 20240926014279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240926014279A), Sep 26, 2024: Cessna 172P, Grangeville, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he wanted to scout out a back country airport and investigate the area for future flights. Pilot decided to make a low pass with no intension to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195225. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17760109&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17759842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.