Mooney M18LA accident near Beaver Marsh, Oregon, July 9, 1996
On July 9, 1996 at about 7:41 pm local time, a Mooney M18LA, registered N4077, was substantially damaged in an accident near Beaver Marsh, Oregon. It was a personal 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the presence of trees near the forced landing area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 9, 1996 · about 7:41 pm local time · cases in 1996
- Place
- Beaver Marsh, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M18LA · all M18LAs on the register
- Registration
- N4077 · registry record · serial 119
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While cruising about 2000 feet agl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing on a road, but the airplane hit trees and crashed. Examination of the airplane by FAA inspectors did not reveal any mechanical discrepancy.
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: 300 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 275 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1996; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-145-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 081 Tulelake CA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: S95 College Place WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from RDM, 75 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N4077 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Mooney M-18 98 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Mooney 5,395 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming O-145-B 538 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Martin Field · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Oregon 1,864 since 1982 · 279 in the last ten years
- Oregon 7,008 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/SEA96LA148.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.