Stinson L 5G accident near Beckwourth, California, June 25, 2016
On June 25, 2016 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1942 Stinson L 5G, registered N2581B, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Beckwourth, California (Nervino airport). It was an instructional 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
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the check pilot's failure to act in a timely manner to prevent the airplane from departing the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2016 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Beckwourth, California · Nervino · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson L 5G G, built 1942 · all L 5Gs on the register
- Registration
- N2581B · registry record · serial 120473
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a practice touch and go landing on a check flight for a pilot, new to the airplane, the pilot receiving the check lost directional control of the tail wheel equipped airplane on the landing roll and drifted towards the right. The check pilot did not act in a timely manner to prevent the airplane from departing the runway's edge. The airplane subsequently struck a drainage ditch and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilots reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Attempted remediation/recovery during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Student/instructed pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,145.8 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 5.5 in the last 90 days; 2,006.3 as pilot in command; 493.2 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 20, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 739 hours in all; 279.2 in this make and model; 4.5 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 695.5 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 9, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,910.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 20, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 2,251 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-435 (piston); 239 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 4:30 pm
- Destination: O02 Beckwourth CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 4,651 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from RTS, 238 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 12, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Front Seat Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Rear Seat Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.