WPR24FA215

Factual narrative

On June 28, 2024, about 1728 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6210A was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Big Creek, Idaho. The pilot was fatally injured, and the pilot-rated-passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a witness who spoke to the pilot, he and his son arrived at a fly in at Smiley Creek Airport (U87) Smiley Creek, Idaho, the day of the accident and planned to fly to the Big Creek Airport (U60) Big Creek, Idaho, for the evening. The witness recalled seeing the airplane depart U87 around 1630 to 1645. According to a witness, located inside the Big Creek Lodge, around 1727, he heard an airplane flying nearby and they looked outside to see it as it passed the lodge at a low altitude, and while in a nose high attitude. The witness stated that he stepped outside, heard the engine “making full power” but the airplane was “not doing anything significant.” He saw the left wing begin to drop and the airplane entered the trees and disappeared. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted forested hilly terrain. The airplane came to rest on its right side, on a heading of about 270° magnetic, and at an elevation of 5,742 ft msl. The wreckage was surrounded by trees about 50 ft to 80 ft in height and was about 1,400 ft south of the departure end of runway 19. All major components of the airplane were located at the accident site. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
• — Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Loading-(general)-Incorrect use/operation