Navion B accident near Stanley, Idaho, July 16, 1999
On July 16, 1999 at about 3:55 pm local time, a Navion B, registered N5304K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Stanley, Idaho (Sulphur Creek Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An improperly planned approach and gusting wind conditions. A tailwind was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 1999 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Stanley, Idaho · Sulphur Creek Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Navion B
- Registration
- N5304K · registry record · serial 2204B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he first over flew the airstrip to assess the landing field. The pilot stated that he was aware that this was a 'one way strip' and that he would be landing with a tailwind of about ten knots. The pilot stated that just prior to flaring, the airplane was about 20 to 30 feet above ground level, when it suddenly went straight down. The pilot applied full power, however, the airplane continued the rapid descent and subsequently landed hard on all three landing gear. Both the pilot and the flight instructor on board felt that the aircraft was hit with a strong tailwind gust.
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: 491 hours in all; 391 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 1999; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYL Mccall ID at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,300 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.