Accident Overview
On June 12, 2024, about 1006 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177B, registration N34903, was destroyed when it crashed near Elk River, Idaho. The pilot was fatally injured, and the two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight Details
According to preliminary ADS-B data, the airplane departed Felts Field Airport (SFF), Spokane, Washington, and flew southeast toward Elk River Airport (ID85), Elk River, Idaho. As the airplane approached ID85, it overflew the community of Elk River, south of the approach end of runway 17, then turned to the northwest. The flight track data ended about 1 mile north of ID85.
A surviving passenger, who is also pilot rated, reported that the pilot planned to fly from SFF to ID85 and then return to SFF. After departure, the pilot requested and received flight following from Air Traffic Control (ATC), which was maintained until the pilot had ID85 in sight. The pilot and passenger discussed a plan to approach ID85 from the south to inspect the runway, climb to the north, then turn to return for a landing on runway 17.
Accident Sequence
The passenger estimated that the airplane overflew the airport at about 700 feet above ground level (agl), configured with full throttle and flaps retracted. While climbing to the north, the pilot stated, “it’s just not climbing; I don’t like this” and confirmed that the engine power was set to full. He slowed the airplane, attempting to increase its rate of climb. The passenger recalled that they did not have room to turn around before the airplane impacted trees. A post-crash fire ensued.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted trees and came to rest inverted at an elevation of about 3,755 feet mean sea level (MSL), approximately 5.5 miles north of ID85 in mountainous terrain. The first identified point of contact was a 120-foot-tall tree located 114 feet west of the main wreckage. The debris path was about 103 feet long, oriented on a magnetic heading of 086°. The fuselage was oriented on a magnetic heading of 153°, across a downed tree, on a 45° slope. All major components of the airplane were located throughout the debris path. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.