Beech A35 accident near Atlanta, Idaho, June 22, 2002
On June 22, 2002 at about 1:15 am local time, a Beech A35, registered N658B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Atlanta, Idaho (Atlanta airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Clearance from an object was not maintained during an aborted landing. Trees and mountainous terrain were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2002 · about 1:15 am local time
- Place
- Atlanta, Idaho · Atlanta · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A35 · all A35s on the register
- Registration
- N658B · no longer on the register · serial D-1659
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported observing the aircraft circle the airport before setting up an approach to runway 34. The witnesses reported that the aircraft was too high on final approach and the pilot aborted the landing about mid-field to two-thirds of the way down the runway and 20 to 30 feet agl. The aircraft made a right turn and collided with trees and subsequently the terrain within one-half mile from the departure end of the runway. A post-crash fire consumed the wreckage. Documentation of the accident site noted that the aircraft collided with the tops of approximately four trees before colliding with the ground. The airport facilities directory for this airstrip states, "Airport is located in mountainous area, high timbered ridges limit maneuvering area." "Recommend land Rwy 34, depart Rwy 16..." Post-accident examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,714 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 2,660 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-185 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: S67 Nampa ID
- Destination: 55H Atlanta ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,650 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.