Cessna 335 accident near Tensed, Idaho, July 4, 2002
On July 4, 2002 at about 4:58 pm local time, a Cessna 335, registered N27069, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tensed, Idaho. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Aircraft control was not maintained during an emergency landing. A loss of power for undetermined reasons was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2002 · about 4:58 pm local time
- Place
- Tensed, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 335 · all 335s on the register
- Registration
- N27069 · registry record · serial 3350021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Radar data of the flight tracking indicated that the aircraft attained an altitude of about 6,000 feet before altitude reporting was lost about seven minutes after departure. The aircraft continued on a northerly track for about another five minutes when the tracking turned 180 degrees (left) and continued to the south for about two minutes. The tracking then turned to the west for about one minute, then turned to a southerly direction again when radar tracking was lost. The wreckage was distributed over an open fallow field of rolling terrain for a distance of 390 feet. Ground signatures and impact damage to the aircraft indicated a left wing low attitude at the time of terrain contact. The landing gear and flaps were retracted. Witnesses in the area reported hearing the aircraft overhead and stated that the engine(s) were making a "popping" sound and/or lost power. Post-crash inspection of the wreckage and engine teardown did not reveal evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Interviews with personnel at the flights originating airport reported that they saw the aircraft fly for the first time in several months a couple of days prior to the accident. The pilot accomplished touch-and-go landings at that time. The day before the accident, the pilot had fuel added to the main fuel tanks only. The quantity of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tanks was not known. Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft had been flown approximately 2 hours in the preceding year.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,549 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 3, 2001; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,990 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-EB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PUW Pullman WA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: SZT Sandpoint ID
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 108°F (42°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from PUW, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.