Navion A accident near Ely, Nevada, August 16, 1989
On August 16, 1989 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Navion A, registered N8796H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ely, Nevada (Yelland Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AFTER LIFT-OFF, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WITH EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 1989 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Ely, Nevada · Yelland Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Navion A
- Registration
- N8796H · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-796
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB ABOUT 50 TO 100 FT AGL, THEN IT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE NOSE DIPPED & RAISED, THEN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY. CONTRABAND & UNCERTIFIED FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND ON BOARD THE PLANE. IT WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN LOADED TO 2927 LBS (377 LBS OVER ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT). DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 9600 FT. THE AIRPLANE'S LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS DATED 5/16/86.
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
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-185-9 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GJT Grand Junction CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,998 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.