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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 18, 1985 · Maule M-6-235 · N121A

Gibbonsville, ID

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Gibbonsville, ID
Aircraft
Maule M-6-235
Tail Number
N121A
Operator
Alpine Air Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA142

THE PLT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ON A 2 HR FLT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING AERIAL OBSERVATION OF MINE SITES. THE ACFT WAS OPERATING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING HOT TEMP CONDITIONS RESULTING IN A HIGH DENSITY ALT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT DESCENDED TO AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERITCAL ATTITUDE INDICATIVE OF THE INITAL PHASE OF A STALL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRFRAME NOR POWERPLANT MALFUNCTION. THE PLT HAD BEEN OPERATING THE ACCIDENT ACFT IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

Full Narrative

THE PLT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ON A 2 HR FLT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING AERIAL OBSERVATION OF MINE SITES. THE ACFT WAS OPERATING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING HOT TEMP CONDITIONS RESULTING IN A HIGH DENSITY ALT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT DESCENDED TO AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERITCAL ATTITUDE INDICATIVE OF THE INITAL PHASE OF A STALL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRFRAME NOR POWERPLANT MALFUNCTION. THE PLT HAD BEEN OPERATING THE ACCIDENT ACFT IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:38 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-6-235
Tail NumberN121A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAlpine Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-W1A5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 3 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:33
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data