Cessna 177B accident near Neihart, MT
On September 2, 2014, a Cessna 177B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Neihart, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 2, 2014
- Place
- Neihart, MT
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 46.859°N, 110.679°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140902X63401
Official records · WPR14FA362
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 2, 2014, about 1230 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N34880, impacted terrain about 5 miles southeast of Neihart, Montana. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, one passenger was seriously injured, and one passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed during the accident sequence and subsequent post impact fire. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Great Falls International Airport (GTF), Great Falls, Montana at about 1200. The pilot reported that prior to the flight he checked the weather, mentally calculated the airplane's weight and balance, and conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane. The takeoff and departure were uneventful. About 30 miles to the southeast of the airport the pilot descended so the passengers could take photographs of the canyon and an old train route. The pilot conducted a climbing about 360 degree turn to 7,500 feet. He flew along the western ridge of the canyon showing the passengers various landmarks. He continued south along the canyon when the canyon started to narrow and the terrain started to rise. The pilot initiated a climb when the airplane experienced a downdraft. The airplane then experienced a second downdraft and the pilot felt the airplane was a little too low. Unable to turn around between the narrow canyon walls he found a low spot
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in turbulent conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the mountainous area with the airplane over its maximum gross weight and with a forward center of gravity.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
- Cessna 550, Dec 18, 1992
- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
- Cessna 182C, May 12, 2007
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.
