Cessna 182Q accident near Santiam Junc., Oregon, March 29, 2004
On March 29, 2004 at about 1:30 am local time, a Cessna 182Q, registered N96719, was substantially damaged in an accident near Santiam Junc., Oregon. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall while attempting a low-level crossing of a ridge from the leeward to the windward side. Factors include low-level maneuvering, strong gusty winds, and downdrafts.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2004 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Santiam Junc., Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182Q · all 182Qs on the register
- Registration
- N96719 · no longer on the register · serial 66822
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While flying in an area of gusty winds and downdrafts, the pilot was maneuvering at low level along the leeward side of a mountain ridge in order to look at points of interest. He then turned to cross to the windward side of the ridge, but while maneuvering to clear it, he allowed the airspeed to drop below stall speed, and the aircraft stall/mushed into the terrain.
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
- Flight time: 385 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,355 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 23, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aero Engines O-470-50 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S07 Bend OR at 1:10 am
- Destination: 6K5 Sisters OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.