3 fatalities

Cessna 207 Crashes in Mountain Canyon After Pilot Encounters Falling Snow (N6257H)

Elk City, United States of AmericaFlight

On November 19, 1992, a Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair (registration N6257H) operated by Wilderness Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Elk City, United States of America in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's continuation of a VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors include becoming lost, disoriented, falling snow, and mountainous, hilly terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 207 pilot flying VFR in mountainous terrain encountered falling snow reducing visibility to half a mile. After becoming lost, the pilot attempted to reverse course but impacted terrain while turning in a steep canyon, killing all three occupants.

Accident Narrative

A Cessna 207 pilot was attempting to complete a visual flight rules (VFR) flight in mountainous, hilly terrain. During the flight, the pilot flew into falling snow, which reduced visibility to approximately one half mile. When the pilot realized that he was lost, he attempted to reverse course. However, while attempting to turn in a steep canyon, the aircraft impacted the terrain. All three occupants were killed.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause of the accident was the pilot's continuation of a VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors included becoming lost and disoriented, as well as the presence of falling snow and mountainous, hilly terrain.