What happened
On June 12, 2024, at approximately 10:06 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177B, registration N34903, crashed near Elk River, Idaho. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
According to ADS-B data, the aircraft departed Felts Field Airport (SFF) in Spokane, Washington, en route to Elk River Airport (ID85). As the aircraft approached the destination, it flew over the community of Elk River, south of the approach end of runway 17, before turning northwest. The flight track ended approximately one mile north of the airport.
A surviving passenger, who is also a pilot, stated that the pilot intended to fly to ID85 and return to SFF. The pilot had been receiving flight following from Air Traffic Control until the airport was in sight. The crew planned to approach the airport from the south to inspect the runway, climb to the north, and then turn back for a landing on runway 17.
The passenger reported that the aircraft overflew the airport at approximately 700 feet above ground level (agl) with the engine at full throttle and flaps retracted. During the northward climb, the pilot noted that the aircraft was not climbing despite full power. In an attempt to increase the rate of climb, the pilot slowed the aircraft, but the plane impacted trees before a turn could be completed. A post-crash fire occurred.
The investigation
Investigation of the accident site showed the aircraft impacted trees and came to rest inverted at an elevation of about 3,755 feet MSL, roughly 5.5 miles north of ID85 in mountainous terrain. The initial point of contact was a 120-foot tree located 114 feet west of the main wreckage. The debris path measured approximately 103 feet long on a magnetic heading of 086°. The fuselage came to rest on a 45° slope at a magnetic heading of 153°. All major components of the aircraft were located within the debris path.
The aircraft sustained 1 fatal and 2 serious injuries.