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Accidents · NTSB SEA86LA125 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Maule M-6-235 accident near Fallon, Nevada, May 13, 1986

On May 13, 1986 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Maule M-6-235, registered N5644J, was destroyed in an accident near Fallon, Nevada. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
May 13, 1986 · about 11:30 pm local time · cases in 1986
Place
Fallon, Nevada · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Maule M-6-235 · all M-6-235s on the register
Registration
N5644J · registry record · serial 7356C
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A REMOTE RANCH STRIP AFTER ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE AND HIGH WINDS ENROUTE. CONTROL WAS LOST ON SHORT FINAL WHEN THE ACFT WAS CAUGHT BY A GUST OF WIND. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND ON ONE WINGTIP AND CARTWHEELED. OFFICIALS WHO EVACUATED THE PLT FROM THE WRECKAGE STATED THE WINDS VARIED FROM CALM TO VERY STRONG IN THE AREA.

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: 9,275 hours in all; 128 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 399 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, August 22, 1985; 38 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: BAM Battle Mountain NV at 10:00 pm
  • Destination: VGT Las Vegas NV
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 4, 3,000 ft by 50 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Visibility: 60 statute miles
  • Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
  • Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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

Aircraft
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Analytics

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/SEA86LA125.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.