Cessna 182Q N735KV accident near Mccall, Idaho

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s selection of the wrong route while flying in mountainous terrain at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the airplane impacting terrain when the increase in elevation exceeded the airplane’s climb performance.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that, as he and the pilot-rated passenger flew through a canyon, the airplane gained airspeed and altitude. As they continued toward their destination, the flight instructor directed the pilot to turn right at a branch in the canyon. Shortly after, the terrain elevation increased, and it exceeded the airplane's climb performance, and the airplane subsequently impacted trees. The density altitude for the area was calculated to be about 8,524 feet, which would have affected the airplane's climb performance. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA365 for the full record.