Maule M5-180C accident near Sand Point, Idaho, March 30, 1986
On March 30, 1986 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Maule M5-180C, registered N119JC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sand Point, Idaho (Sandpoint airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. 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
- March 30, 1986 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sand Point, Idaho · Sandpoint · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M5-180C · all M5-180Cs on the register
- Registration
- N119JC · registry record · serial 8030C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF IN STRONG GUSTY CROSSWINDS, THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY, STRUCK A FENCE POST, AND NOSED OVER INVERTED. THE REPORTED WINDS AT COEUR D'ALENE, ID, 33 NMI SSW OF SAND POINT, WERE REPORTED AS BEING FROM 240 DEGS AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 27 KTS.
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; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 551 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 478 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 330 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 12, 1986; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C1F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S86 Sand Point ID at 10:30 pm
- Destination: YKM Yakima WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 3,930 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft; not recorded at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.