Cessna R182 accident near Mccall, Idaho, June 12, 2023
On June 12, 2023 at about 4:29 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna R182, registered N3138C, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mccall, Idaho (Mc Call Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Maintenance personnel's failure to properly torque and inspect the magneto hardware, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2023 · about 4:29 pm local time
- Place
- Mccall, Idaho · Mc Call Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R182, built 1978 · all R182s on the register
- Registration
- N3138C · registry record · serial R18200239
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The passenger recalled that on the morning of the accident, the pilot had performed a preflight inspection and did not point out any mechanical issues with the airplane. The start-up and run-up were normal. As the airplane rotated for takeoff, the pilot reported that they had a power problem. The passenger stated that the pilot wanted to return to the airport, but the airplane had not gained enough altitude to clear the obstacles near the departure end of the runway. Witnesses near the accident site reported that the departure roll appeared to be unusually long and the engine did not seem to be developing full power. From their vantage point they saw the airplane's nose pitch up and begin to climb, but it did not gain enough altitude to clear the trees near the departure end of the runway where the airplane impacted the top of a pine tree. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the single-drive dual magneto remained attached to the engine accessory case, but not secured to the mounting pad. Both the upper and lower retaining hardware were loose, which allowed the magneto to be rotated with minimal resistance. The engine manufacturer issued a service instruction letter that cautioned that the magneto and/or its attaching hardware can become loose or unfastened following maintenance work. A review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the magneto had been replaced about 15 hours before the accident flight. It is likely that the magneto’s hardware was not properly installed, torqued, or inspected, resulting in loose hardware and a subsequent loss of engine power.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,228.3 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 22, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Turbo-Sphere INC
The flight
- Destination: Indian Creek ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 am from KMYL, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMYL 121651Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 17/11 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP123 T01670106
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
17 documents, released by the NTSB on November 14, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
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.
