I came across this interview and podcast regarding a DC-3 crash on the Selway downstream from Moose Creek.

https://selwaybitterrootproject.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/the-1979-crash//

Serious tragedy but also fascinating Idaho Aviation history.

Thanks for posting. The podcast is an interesting, and sobering accounting of a backcountry rescue operation. Worthwhile for anyone expecting remote rescue in an emergency.

-M3X

I know a woman that was supposed to be on that plane but plans changed at the last moment and she wasn't. She was my first backcountry passenger in my PA12 in about 1986 on my first trip to Idaho.

Still lots of debris along the river. More churns up every spring. I have the rudder pedal pulley box. Dove into an eddy pool to get it in 80 or 81 about a mile downstream from the site.

I remember that crash. Here's the FS report with a couple photos including the one the back packer took of the engine dropping off. I think the FS has sold the last of their DC-3s. 148Z (the Selway accident DC-3 and 142Z are now on Sherpas and 146Z is on a Barron. Starts on page 85 http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/av_safety/ass ... istory.pdf

That DC 3 must have been an utter piece of shit. Double engine failure. Another sad example of a pilot who was willing to fly anything for the love of flying. The passengers probably had no idea what a POS it was. "This caused the forest service to rethink using aircraft to transport workers " Maybe they should've rethought maintenance on airplanes and or the companies they contract with.

This is why I spare no expense on my engine.


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The Orion site was in the middle of a popular backcountry skiing area, and people skied through the fuselage for a few seasons. They barely scraped the ridge. Even 30 feet of altitude and they would have been clear all the way to MSO. Terrible tragedy.

At the time, the reason for the accident was said to be a malfunctioning approach system. This document makes a lot more sense.