JOHNSON CREEK, ID

V tail Bonanza escapes Johnson Creek - 2 pm. Light south winds 90 degree F.

This video had about 150 views total until late Sept 2023 and for some reason went totally viral. Yes it has a click bait title but that was not my intention. If you fly in and out of mountain strips you must understand density altitude. Density altitude is effected by elevation, temperature and humidity. There are less air molecules at altitude and on hotter days to create lift under the wing and produce compression within the cylinders of the engine. Consequently the performance of the wing and engine are reduced as the density altitude is increased. Humidity effects density altitude because the vaporized water displaces the air molecules further reducing lift and compression in the engine.

Johnson Creek (3U2) sits at an elevation of 5000 feet and 3500 feet long. It is in the heart of the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho. It is a spectacular place to camp, hike, fish, and commune with nature. It is a focal point in the Frank Church Wilderness with a rich history. Mountain Flying caries more risk in part due to density altitude and needs to be factored into one's risk assessment. With proper training, proficiency and education much of the risk can be mitigated. Many of the strips have non standard approaches often with no option for a go around or rejected takeoff. I have other videos on this channel that show a lot backcountry strips in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. I have a CFII/MEI and stay active instructing in a variety of aircraft and am very passionate about about aviation..

This video is instructional to anyone wanting to learn about Density Altitude. The temperature was over 90 degree F this afternoon and it was unusually humid. There was a 5-10 knot quartering tailwind. The DA was about 8200 feet that day. Runway 35 is standard departure from Johnson Creek. The 35 Bonanza was loaded with 4 adults. . Unknown how much fuel or baggage was onboard. I doubt he was in a turbocharged aircraft. When we heard the engine start and taxi down toward the departure end of 35 we were all surprised. Most people do not fly in the afternoons in Idaho and the general recommendations among most seasoned mountain/canyon pilots is to be down on the ground by 11-11:30 AM. Certainly on cooler days you can fly later and on hotter days you may need to get down sooner. Fly early and fly light.

This pilot did a good job once airborne not to stall the airplane. He kept the nose down and contoured the terrain. I believe he wisely headed up the canyon to gain lift created by updrafts on the northwest walls. I agree he should have deployed 10-20 degrees of flaps on the departure. Maybe flown out solo at first to test the conditions. A wiser decision would have been to wait until it cooled off. Below is a video of a loaded Stinson departing from Bruce Meadows with 4 people that crashed into the trees on the departure end in 2012 luckily not killing anyone. Every year people die because they do not factor DA into their flight planning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVM3RRd1vf0

Hope this answers most of the questions. Safe Flying for Everyone and Support the RAF (Recreational Aviation Foundation) and IAA (Idaho Aviation Association).

The Idaho Division of Aeronautics want to ensure all backcountry pilots have a safe and enjoyable experience. Johnson Creek is one of Idaho's premiere backcountry locations but is a difficult airstrip to travel to. These procedures are designed to help pilots who plan to visit. For more information regarding Johnson Creek and its SOP visit: https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/JohnsonCreek_SOP_Aero.pdf

0:00 Introduction
0:42 Johnson Creek
1:20 Approach Procedures
1:34 Southern Approach
2:43 Northern Approach
3:38 Landing and Go-around
5:09 Take off Procedure
5:21 Outro

On June 28, 2013, about 0948 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135 Tri-Pacer, N1540P, and a Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, N2108T, collided midair while on final approach to landing at the Johnson Creek Airport (3U2), Yellow Pine, Idaho.

The private pilot of the Tri-Pacer and his pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The private pilot of the Arrow sustained serious injuries. Tragically, his 20-month-old son sustained fatal injuries. The child was secured in a CARES child restraint.

A review of the recorded CTAF transmissions revealed that both pilots were transmitting their positions within the airport traffic pattern, corroborating their reports that they did so. It could not be determined why neither pilot heard the other pilot’s position reports and the NTSB found it likely that both pilots were not adequately monitoring other aircraft position reports while in the pattern.

The NTSB report states "If either pilot had heard the other pilot’s position reports, it is likely that the collision would not have occurred." (Vigilance is such a common theme.)

Both NTSB accident reports are included as part of a larger document repository containing investigative information about this accident. Those documents, which include the CTAF transcript, can be found at https://tiny.cc/idahomidair.

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IMPORTANT

The sole fatality in this accident was the Arrow pilot's two year old son. Please consider that when commenting.

As the mostly-benevolent dictator of this place I am the sole authority on decorum. Inappropriate comments may be removed without warning.

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Johnson Creek Airstrip, Idaho Departure to Yellow Pine