Cessna 182P Skylane, N52743: Accident occurred March 25, 2017 in Mackay, Custer County, Idaho

Cessna 182P Skylane, N52743 taking off from Sulphur Creek Ranch Idaho. Backcountry strip. Taken in June 2016

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Registered Owner: Teton Leasing LLC

Operator: Avcenter Inc.

http://registry.faa.gov/N52743

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA202
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, March 25, 2017 in Mackay, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/20/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N52743
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that, while flying in mountainous terrain around 9,500 ft mean sea level (700 to 1,200 ft above the ground), the airplane encountered a downdraft. He added that he immediately turned away from the mountainside in a right turn, added full power, selected 10º of flaps, and pitched the nose up to maintain the airplane’s maximum angle-of-climb airspeed (Vx). Subsequently, the airplane was unable to climb, and it then impacted wooded, snow-covered terrain along the mountainside. 

The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The calculated density altitude near the flightpath was about 10,339 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, the airplane would have experienced a 50% decrease to the normal climb rate. The high-density altitude conditions likely contributed to the airplane’s inability to establish a climb. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane over mountainous terrain in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain altitude or establish a climb.

The pilot reported that while flying in mountainous terrain around 9,500 ft. mean sea level (700 to 1,200 ft. above the ground), the airplane encountered a downdraft. He added that he immediately turned away from the mountainside in a right turn, added full power, selected 10º of flaps, and pitched the nose up to maintain the airplane's maximum angle of climb airspeed (Vx). Subsequently, the pilot was unable to establish a climb and impacted wooded snow covered terrain along the mountainside. 

The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The calculated density altitude near the flight path was about 10,339 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, the airplane would have experienced a 50% decrease to the normal rate of climb.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA202 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, March 25, 2017 in Mackay, ID
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N52743
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that while flying in mountainous terrain around 9,500 ft. mean sea level (700 to 1,200 ft. above the ground), the airplane encountered a downdraft. He added that he immediately turned away from the mountainside in a right turn, added full power, selected 10º of flaps, and pitched the nose up to maintain the airplane's maximum angle of climb airspeed (Vx). Subsequently, the pilot was unable to establish a climb and impacted wooded snow covered terrain along the mountainside.

The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The calculated density altitude near the flight path was about 10,339 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, the airplane would have experienced a 50% decrease to the normal rate of climb.