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).
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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 1995 · about 4:02 pm local time · cases in 1995
- Place
- Elko, Nevada · Elko Municipal · cases near this airport · 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 |
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N31853 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Stinson L-5 125 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Stinson 1,728 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming O-435-1 135 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Elko Regional · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Nevada 1,294 since 1982 · 223 in the last ten years
- Nevada 4,582 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/LAX95LA260.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.