History of Flight
On May 2, 2008, at approximately 1950 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N (N75856) and a Cessna 172 (N4008F) collided in flight over the approach end of runway 34 at McCall Municipal Airport, an uncontrolled airport in McCall, Idaho. Both airplanes were destroyed by the collision and ensuing postcrash fire. The pilot of N75856, a commercial pilot, sustained serious injuries; his passenger received minor injuries. Aboard N4008F, the private pilot and two passengers were killed, and a third passenger sustained serious injuries. N75856 was operated by Felts Field Aviation under 14 CFR Part 91, having departed Felts Field Airport in Spokane, Washington, about 1 hour 30 minutes prior. A VFR flight plan was in effect. N4008F was operated by the owner/pilot under Part 91, departing Caldwell Industrial Airport, Caldwell, Idaho, about 45 minutes prior on a return flight to its base at McCall; no flight plan was filed. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The pilot of N75856 reported entering the downwind leg for runway 34 from a 45-degree angle at 6,500 feet msl, made a radio call, reduced power abeam the numbers, configured with 10 degrees flaps, transmitted on base, and turned final, stating he intended to land long. While approximately 30 feet above the runway in a flare, the collision occurred. He was unaware of the other airplane's position. A ground witness observed both airplanes on final, one above the other, and lost sight before the collision; shortly after, a cloud of black smoke appeared near the runway.
Radar data from Salt Lake City ARTCC showed N75856 descending from northwest, entering downwind, turning base at 1949:58, and final at 1950:08 at 5,600 feet msl. N4008F descended from the south on a straight-in approach, at 5,400 feet msl at 1949:58 and 5,300 feet at 1950:08.
Personnel Information
The pilot of N75856, age 30, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings, and a CFI certificate. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued July 10, 2007, with a corrective lenses limitation. He reported 478 total flight hours, 351 as PIC, and 143 in the same make and model; 49 hours in the previous 90 days. He completed a flight review on October 15, 2007.
The pilot of N4008F, age 52, held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued August 29, 2007, requiring glasses for near vision. No logbooks were found; an insurance application dated January 28, 2008, indicated 808 total flight hours, 386 in the same make and model, and a flight review on February 18, 2008.
Aircraft Information
N75856, a 1977 Cessna 172N high-wing, single-engine airplane equipped with a Lycoming O-360 engine, was predominantly white with orange and brown stripes. Fuel tanks were filled before departure from Spokane.
N4008F, a 1958 Cessna 172 high-wing, single-engine airplane equipped with a Continental O-300 engine, was white with red and blue wingtip stripes and a solid blue undercarriage. Fuel tanks were filled before departure from Caldwell.
Neither airplane had collision avoidance equipment, and both had two-way radios, but preaccident frequency selection was undetermined due to damage.
Meteorological Information
The McCall weather observation at accident time: wind 180 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 41°F, dew point 21°F, altimeter 30.08 inHg. Sunset was at 2052, end of civil twilight at 2124.
Airport Information
McCall Municipal Airport is in a valley at 5,024 feet elevation, surrounded by rising terrain. Runway 16/34 is 6,108 feet long, 75 feet wide, equipped with VASI. The Airport/Facility Directory stated "RWY 16-34 straight in VFR landings prohibited." Runway was dry; snow covered surrounding terrain. No ATC tower; CTAF 122.8.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Both airplanes came to rest entangled on the west side of runway 34, 1,737 feet north of the landing threshold, with extensive impact and fire damage. First debris (blue paint chips, small structure pieces) was on the runway near centerline, 1,000 feet north of threshold.
N75856 came to rest upright. Extensive thermal damage to cockpit, controls, instrumentation, and cabin. Engine with propeller and spinner was adjacent; leading edge damage and chordwise scratches on both blades, one blade tip 3 inches separated. Main landing gear had thermal damage; nose gear separated 75 feet south, with blue paint transfer and scuffing on left sidewall of nose tire. Wings had thermal damage; right wing flap and aileron intact; left wing outboard section bent upward; flight control continuity established; flap actuator measurements indicated flaps extended approximately 5 degrees. Tail assembly sustained thermal damage; empennage separated and inverted; vertical stabilizer and rudder attached, bent right; horizontal stabilizers and elevators attached.
N4008F came to rest inverted. Extensive thermal damage to cockpit, controls, instrumentation, and cabin. Engine with propeller and spinner adjacent; one blade had leading edge damage, aft bending, chordwise scratches; other blade bent forward and curled. Main landing gear had thermal damage; nose gear attached. Wings had thermal damage; slash marks (8-17 inches, perpendicular to longitudinal axis, consistent with propeller blade tip) on top of wing carry-through. Right aileron attached; left wing outboard section bent upward. Empennage separated mid-span; vertical stabilizer had aft crushing and tearing; rudder attached; stabilizers, elevators, trim tabs in place with aft crushing. Flight control continuity established; preimpact flap position undetermined.
Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies with either airplane.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the pilot of N4008F attributed cause of death to thermal injuries and blunt force trauma. Toxicology testing detected no drugs of abuse.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular 90-48C discusses the "See and Avoid" concept, emphasizing vigilance and proper traffic pattern procedures at non-tower airports.