Piper PA20 accident near Challis, ID
On June 27, 2022, a Piper PA20 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Challis, ID. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 27, 2022
- Place
- Challis, ID
- Aircraft
- Piper PA20 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 44.823°N, 114.825°W
- NTSB ID
- 20220629105391
Official records · WPR22LA238
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 26, 2022, about 1945 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20-135, N1231C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Challis, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. On day of the accident flight, a witness observed the accident airplane land at the Lower Loon Creek airport (C53), Challis, Idaho. She spoke briefly with the pilot and passenger, who indicated that they were camping at the Johnson Creek Airport (3U2) but were going to spend the day at Lower Loon. Later that evening, she observed the accident airplane taxi, take off, and then fly into the box canyon. Shortly thereafter, she observed a dust cloud. A friend of the pilot reported that he and the accident pilot were camping at 3U2. Earlier in the day, they had flown to C53 and, due to the density altitude, they waited to depart C53 for the return flight to 3U2, until later that evening. He further added that, at the time of departure, the density altitude was indicating about 6,200 ft msl. He observed the accident airplane depart to the north, climb, and then turn back toward the runway about 1930. He last observed the accident airplane on a southbound heading. Shortly after departing from C53, he observed smoke, which he believed to be a small ground fire. After landing and refueling at McCall Municipal Airport (MYL), McCall, Idaho, he continued his flight to 3U2 where he expected to meet with the accident pilot and passenger. They had not arrived, and he reported
Probable cause
The pilot's turn towards rising terrain with limited climb performance and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from terrain that resulted in an impact with terrain.
More accidents in ID
- Boeing 737, Jan 9, 2021
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- Mitsubishi MU-2B-36, Jan 15, 1996
- Cessna T303, Mar 3, 1998
- Cessna TU-206-G, Jul 3, 1988
Browse: Idaho · Piper 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.
