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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 20, 1986 · Cessna 172 · N70040

Bonners Ferry, ID

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Bonners Ferry, ID
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N70040
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86LA107

THE PLT UTILIZED UPDRAFTS TO CLIMB TO 7800 FT TO CLEAR A MOUNTAIN RIDGE WHICH WAS COVERED WITH 'CAP CLOUDS'. ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGE A DOWNDRAFT WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE 'FOG'. THE PLT REPORTED THE ACFT INSTRUMENTS WERE USED TO MAINTAIN A NOSE UP ATTITUDE BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED DESCENDING TO GROUND IMPACT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT UTILIZED UPDRAFTS TO CLIMB TO 7800 FT TO CLEAR A MOUNTAIN RIDGE WHICH WAS COVERED WITH 'CAP CLOUDS'. ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGE A DOWNDRAFT WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE 'FOG'. THE PLT REPORTED THE ACFT INSTRUMENTS WERE USED TO MAINTAIN A NOSE UP ATTITUDE BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED DESCENDING TO GROUND IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 PST
Nearest Airport14nm WSW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN70040
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-ED2 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data