Stinson L-5E accident near Elko, Nevada, July 21, 1995
On July 21, 1995 at about 4:02 pm local time, a Stinson L-5E, registered N31853, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elko, Nevada (Elko Municipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control and the inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot in taking timely corrective action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 1995 · about 4:02 pm local time
- Place
- Elko, Nevada · Elko Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson L-5E · all L-5Es on the register
- Registration
- N31853 · registry record · serial 44-17605
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A NORMAL LANDING ON RUNWAY 12 WHEN THE AIRCRAFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE INSTRUCTOR IN THE BACK SEAT TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND APPLIED LEFT RUDDER WITH NO EFFECT. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED OFF THE RUNWAY AND THE INSTRUCTOR APPLIED POWER TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT WHERE IT NOSED OVER. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE WIND AT THE TIME WAS FROM 200 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 57 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 9,500 as pilot in command; 430 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 1994; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-435-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 043 Yerington NV at 1:30 pm
- Destination: EKO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 2,869 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:04 pm from EKO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX95LA260.