Cessna 172 N7902B

Summary

On 28 May 2000 at about 23:30 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N7902B was involved in an accident near Johnson Creek, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 May 2000 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Johnson Creek, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Johnson Creek (3U2)

Coordinates

45.0196, -115.5195

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N7902B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Caldwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA00LA093

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the rising terrain. Factors include his poor decision to depart without assurance that he could clear the surrounding terrain under the ambient conditions, his failure to adhere to the accepted procedure of leaning the fuel mixture for high-altitude takeoff, high density altitude, downdrafts, mountainous terrain, and tress along his departure path.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Because of winds blowing from the south, the pilot made a southerly departure from a mountain airstrip where takeoff to the north is recommended any time wind conditions permit. The pilot departed in a heavily loaded aircraft at a density altitude of about 6,500 feet, but he did not lean the fuel mixture for best power. After departure he encountered downdrafts, and was unable to outclimb the rising forested terrain, and therefore the aircraft eventually impacted the tops of the trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.