Cessna 180H accident near Yellow Pine, Idaho, May 25, 2003
On May 25, 2003 at about 3:55 pm local time, a Cessna 180H, registered N767, was substantially damaged in an accident near Yellow Pine, Idaho. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering. Trees, a box canyon and rising terrain were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2003 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Yellow Pine, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180H · all 180Hs on the register
- Registration
- N767 · no longer on the register · serial 18052138
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a flight from a mountain airstrip, GPS tracking indicated the aircraft entered and followed a valley ending in a box canyon and rising terrain. The last tracking point indicated the aircraft made a steep left turn and decreased altitude and increased airspeed. On site documentation indicated the aircraft collided with several tall trees before coming to rest inverted. Post accident inspection of the airframe and engine did not indicate evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
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: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,620 hours in all
- Last flight review: February 10, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,668 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 26, 2002; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Flying B Ranch ID at 7:00 pm
- Destination: EUL Caldwell ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from KSMN, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.