Cessna TU-206 N717CM

Summary

On 7 January 1997 at about 19:00 local time, a Cessna TU-206 registered N717CM was involved in an accident near Cascade, Idaho, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

7 January 1997 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Cascade, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

44.5906, -115.5707

Aircraft

Cessna TU-206

Registration

N717CM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McCall → Yellow Pine

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA046

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the terrain while reversing course in mountainous terrain. Factors include the mountainous terrain and tall trees in the area where he was maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot approached a mountain pass in order to see if the weather would allow him to fly through it to his destination. As he came closer to the pass, he decided that there was not enough clearance between the terrain and the overcast above. He therefore elected to reverse course. During the course reversal, he slowed to 65 knots, applied 20 degrees of flaps, and maneuvered at 100 to 150 feet above the terrain. Just after rolling out from the course reversal, the aircraft sank/settled into the trees below. Although the pilot thought the descent may have been initiated by the passenger accidentally bumping the flap switch to the full up position, he did not know for sure if that had happened. As the aircraft sank below tree-top level, the pilot slapped the flap switch to the full-down position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.