The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho
Location: Challis, Idaho
Accident Number: WPR22LA238
Date and Time: June 26, 2022, 19:45 Local
Registration: N1231C
Aircraft: Piper PA-20-135
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On June 26, 2022, about 1945 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20-135, N1231C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Challis, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
A friend of the pilot reported that he and the accident pilot were camping at Johnson Creek (3U2), Yellow Pine, Idaho. Earlier in the day they had flown to Lower Loon Creek Airstrip (C53), Challis, Idaho, and due to the density altitude, they waited to depart from C53 until later that evening for the return flight to 3U2. He further added that at the time of departure, the density altitude was indicating about 6,200 ft. He observed the accident airplane depart to the north, climb, and then turn back toward the runway about 1930. He last observed the accident airplane on a southbound heading. Shortly after departing from C53, he observed smoke, which he believed to be a small ground fire. After landing and refueling at McCall Municipal Airport (KMYL), he continued his flight to 3U2 where he expected to meet with the accident pilot and passenger. They had not arrived, and he reported N1231C as missing. First responders located the airplane wreckage by air the following day about 1 ½ miles north of C53. On June 28, they accessed the accident site and reported that the airplane had impacted steep rising mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 4,200 ft mean sea level (msl) on an approximate southerly heading. The main wreckage came to rest upright about 30 ft below the first identified point of impact and was mostly consumed by fire. All major structural components of the airplane were observed at the accident site.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N1231C
Model/Series: PA-20-135
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLLJ, 5040 ft msl
Observation Time: 19:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 32 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C /-2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Challis, ID (C53)
Destination: Yellow Pine, ID (3U2)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: Fire at unknown time
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 44.822667,-114.82533
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.
Date: 27-JUN-22
Time: 01:45:00Z
Regis#: N1231C
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA20
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 2
Flight Crew: 1
Pax: 1
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
City: CHALLIS
State: IDAHO
