N9895V

On June 22, 2000, about 1045 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9895V, registered to Intermountain Aviation LLC, and operated by Action Flying Service as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight for the purpose of aerial photography, collided with trees while maneuvering in a valley near Wallace, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Kellogg, Idaho, about 45 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported that he was flying low in the valley so that his right front seat passenger could take aerial photographs of the valley's drainage. During the last pass, the pilot flew up the valley about one mile above the target area before making a 30 degree right banking turn, and reversing course 180 degrees. As the aircraft came out of the turn, the stall warning horn sounded and the aircraft was losing altitude. The pilot noted that the airspeed dropped from 80-90 knots while in the turn, to "well below 60 knots." The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed, as full power was already set. The flight was approaching trees on a shelf near the eastern side of the mountain that the aircraft could not climb over. With wings level, the left wing, left side wing strut, left main landing gear, and left side horizontal stabilizer collided with the tops of the trees. The aircraft was able to remain airborne as it continued to the lower terrain. The aircraft subsequently landed at the Kellogg airport without further incident.

The pilot reported that the weather was clear and the winds were light with, "no turbulence or indications of up-or downdrafts, just light chops over a couple of mountain ridges I crossed."