History of Flight
On October 8, 2015, at 0826 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N6184F, collided with mountainous terrain approximately 3.5 miles northeast of Hope, Idaho. The private pilot and both commercial pilot-rated passengers sustained fatal injuries. The airplane impacted large pine trees near a mountain ridge line and was destroyed by a post-crash fire. The flight originated at the Bird Nr 2 air strip in Sagle, Idaho, at 0816, destined for Minot, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Radar data showed the aircraft at 3,600 feet over Hope at 0820, heading northeast into rising terrain. The final radar return was at 0823 at 4,900 feet near the accident site. The wreckage was located hours later by a helicopter at an elevation of 5,226 feet, about 25 feet below a ridgeline saddle.
Personnel
The pilot, age 59, held a private pilot certificate and a third-class medical certificate with a limitation for near vision glasses. Her reported total flight time was 250 hours. The front-seat passenger, age 80, held a commercial pilot certificate and a flight instructor certificate; her reported flight time varied between 3,500 and 13,000 hours. The rear-seat passenger, age 84, held a commercial pilot certificate; his reported flight time varied between 2,000 and 7,030 hours.
Aircraft
The high-wing, fixed-gear, four-seat airplane (serial number 18264118) was manufactured in 1975 and powered by a 260-horsepower Continental IO-470 engine. Maintenance records were not recovered and presumed destroyed. The last annual inspection was performed on September 27, 2015.
Meteorological Information
The nearest reporting station (Sand Point Airport) at 0815 reported calm wind, overcast ceiling at 2,800 feet, 7 miles visibility, temperature 11°C, dew point 11°C. AIRMETs for IFR conditions and mountain obscuration were active. The certified flight instructor obtained a weather briefing the day before and opted not to fly in the mountains due to conditions. No further briefings were recorded.
Wreckage and Impact
The initial impact point was identified by broken tree tops about 156 feet from the main wreckage, along a 046° magnetic bearing. The cabin and wings were destroyed by fire. Control continuity was established for flight controls, though with overload separations. The engine was examined; no pre-accident anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation.
Additional Information
ForeFlight flight plan data showed the intended route from Sagle to Minot and onward to Florida, with a planned cruising altitude of 8,500 feet and an initial heading of 99° magnetic. Toxicological testing on one passenger was negative for ethanol or drugs.