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NTSB Report
May 20, 1985 · Cessna 205 · N125ZL
Chewelah, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Chewelah, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 205
Tail Number
N125ZL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA120
THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING UP A CANYON AT LOW ALTITUDE WHILE CLIMBING AT AN ANGLE EQUIVALENT TO THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN SLOPE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED STEEPLY UPSLOPING TERRAIN AND BEGAN IMPACTING TREES IN A LEFT WING HIGH AND NOSE UP ATTITUDE WHILE STILL UNDER POWER. THERE WAS NOT EVIDENCE OF ANY POWERPLANT MALFUNCTION. THE WIFE OF THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT POSSESS ANY EXPERIENCE FLYING IN AND AROUND THE TERRAIN NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA. THE DENSITY ALT AT THE ACCIDENT WAS ESTIMATED AT 6500 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING UP A CANYON AT LOW ALTITUDE WHILE CLIMBING AT AN ANGLE EQUIVALENT TO THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN SLOPE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED STEEPLY UPSLOPING TERRAIN AND BEGAN IMPACTING TREES IN A LEFT WING HIGH AND NOSE UP ATTITUDE WHILE STILL UNDER POWER. THERE WAS NOT EVIDENCE OF ANY POWERPLANT MALFUNCTION. THE WIFE OF THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT POSSESS ANY EXPERIENCE FLYING IN AND AROUND THE TERRAIN NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA. THE DENSITY ALT AT THE ACCIDENT WAS ESTIMATED AT 6500 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 205
Tail NumberN125ZL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-S · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:35
Weather SourceWFAC