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NTSB Report
August 21, 1986 · Cessna T207A · N73569
Frenchglen, OR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
Frenchglen, OR
Aircraft
Cessna T207A
Tail Number
N73569
Operator
Idaho Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86FA215
ALTHOUGH LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT WITHIN THE GORGE WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MISSION PROFILE THE PILOT ENTERED THE CANYON AND PROCEEDED UPSLOPE TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. 87% OF THE PILOT'S EXTENSIVE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS IN HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT AND HE HAD ACQUIRED AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF ONLY 13 HOURS IN MAKE/MODEL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLIGHTLY OVER ITS GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS EXISTED. DURING THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT THE END OF THE GORGE THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL FOLLOWED. A STALL/SPIN MANEUVER RESULTED PLACING THE AIRCRAFT IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
ALTHOUGH LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT WITHIN THE GORGE WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MISSION PROFILE THE PILOT ENTERED THE CANYON AND PROCEEDED UPSLOPE TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. 87% OF THE PILOT'S EXTENSIVE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS IN HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT AND HE HAD ACQUIRED AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF ONLY 13 HOURS IN MAKE/MODEL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLIGHTLY OVER ITS GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS EXISTED. DURING THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT THE END OF THE GORGE THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL FOLLOWED. A STALL/SPIN MANEUVER RESULTED PLACING THE AIRCRAFT IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna T207A
Tail NumberN73569
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorIdaho Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-M · Reciprocating · 285
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 4 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC