Interstate S-1A accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming, August 1, 1985
On August 1, 1985 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Interstate S-1A, registered N37438, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 1985 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Interstate S-1A · all S-1As on the register
- Registration
- N37438 · registry record · serial 283
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE & DOWNDRAFTS. THE PLT STATED THAT AT 1ST, HE WAS NOT CONCERNED, BUT THEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE ACFT MAY IMPACT THE GROUND. THE ACFT HAD LIMITED POWER (75 HP) & THE TERRAIN ELEVATION IN THAT AREA WAS APRX 7000 FT MSL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND & FLIPPED OVER AFTER IMPACT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 553 hours in all; 553 in this make and model; 91 in the last 90 days; 553 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 16, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-75 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Harford WY at 7:10 pm
- Destination: RKS Rock Springs WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 20 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from RKS, 41 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.