Maule M5 accident near Challis, Idaho, November 7, 1992
On November 7, 1992 at about 9:10 pm local time, a Maule M5, registered N9008E, was destroyed in an accident near Challis, Idaho. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT CONTINUED THE VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOW AND OBSCURATION WEATHER CONDITIONS, INADEQUATE PREFLT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 7, 1992 · about 9:10 pm local time
- Place
- Challis, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Maule M5 · all M5s on the register
- Registration
- N9008E · no longer on the register · serial 7058C
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A VFR FLT THROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITH NO PREFLT WEATHER BRIEFING. THE MOUNTAIN TOPS IN THE DIRECTION OF FLT, VISIBLE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, WERE OBSCURED IN CLOUDS. THE PILOT FOLLOWED A ROAD AT A LOW ALT AGL UP A MOUNTAIN PASS, ENCOUNTERED A SNOW SQUALL AT THE TOP OF THE PASS AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE. THE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE 500 FEET FROM THE ROAD IN THE PASS.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 396 hours in all; 330 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 24, 1992
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: SUN Hailey ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,000 ft; scat at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:45 pm from SUN, 45 miles away
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.