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NTSB Report
February 7, 1988 · Cessna 172M · N20484
Red Lodge, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Red Lodge, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N20484
Operator
Rim to Rim Flyers
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88FA071
THE PLT AND TWO PAX WERE RETURNING TO TWIN FALLS, ID FROM BILLINGS, MT. THE PLT REC TWO WX BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEP. THE WX FORECAST INDICATED LOW CLOUDS, SNOW, TURB AND ICING COND ALONG THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT REQUIRED THE PLT TO TRAVERSE HIGH MTN TERRAIN. THE PLT RADIOED HE WAS ENCOUNTERING CLOUDS NEAR THE MTNS. THE ACC SITE ELEV WAS 10,000 FT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ENG OR PROP. THE FSS HAD FORECAST THE MOUNTAINS TO BE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS AND THE WX TO INCLUDE SNOW AND TURBULENCE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT AND TWO PAX WERE RETURNING TO TWIN FALLS, ID FROM BILLINGS, MT. THE PLT REC TWO WX BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEP. THE WX FORECAST INDICATED LOW CLOUDS, SNOW, TURB AND ICING COND ALONG THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT REQUIRED THE PLT TO TRAVERSE HIGH MTN TERRAIN. THE PLT RADIOED HE WAS ENCOUNTERING CLOUDS NEAR THE MTNS. THE ACC SITE ELEV WAS 10,000 FT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ENG OR PROP. THE FSS HAD FORECAST THE MOUNTAINS TO BE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS AND THE WX TO INCLUDE SNOW AND TURBULENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:24 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN20484
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRim to Rim Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 15 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC