Cessna U206E accident near Red Lodge, MT
On June 9, 1997, a Cessna U206E (airplane) was involved in an accident near Red Lodge, MT. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 9, 1997
- Place
- Red Lodge, MT
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206E · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 45.190°N, 109.240°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08241
Official records · SEA97FA133
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Attachment Wb-I Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Attachment Wb-Ii Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Attachment Wb-Iii Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 9, 1997, approximately 1030, mountain daylight time, a Cessna U206E, N206EC, registered to Payette River Industries, Inc., and being flown by the owner, a private pilot, was destroyed during an in-flight breakup and subsequent collision with terrain following a loss of control. The pilot, front right-seat passenger (also a private pilot), and rear-seat passenger, all sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft crashed three nautical miles east of Red Lodge, Montana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Glendive, Montana, earlier on the morning of the accident. A caller for aircraft call sign "206EC" contacted the Great Falls Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) approximately 1639 on June 8, 1997. The caller reported calling from Glendive, Montana, and requested a weather briefing from Glendive (GDV) to McCall, Idaho, (MYL) with an expected off time of approximately 1710. He requested a VFR flight route direct and the AFSS briefer advised that VFR flight was not recommended. During the briefing the caller was advised that the following day also looked bad. Then the briefer described a low pressure system between Sheridan, Wyoming, and Billings, Montana, with a stationary front running from Billings up to Glendive, and another stationary front running from Billings into Yellowstone Park. The briefing was terminated approximately 1650 (refer to ATTACHMENT WB-I). A second weather briefing from the Great Fa
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's flight into known adverse weather and the subsequent overload and separation of the right wing-strut fuselage-to-strut attach point. Factors contributing were clouds and obscuration.
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Browse: Montana · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
