Beech 35 accident near Melba, Idaho, May 19, 2019
On May 19, 2019 at about 9:08 pm local time, a 1952 Beech 35, registered N1888D, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Melba, Idaho (Sunrise Airpark Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control during a low-level aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to the effects of alcohol and antidepressant medication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 2019 · about 9:08 pm local time
- Place
- Melba, Idaho · Sunrise Airpark Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35 C35, built 1952 · all 35s on the register
- Registration
- N1888D · no longer on the register · serial D-3160
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff in his airplane that was not approved for aerobatics, the airline transport pilot performed an aileron roll about 500 ft above ground level. He departed the airport traffic pattern, then returned and landed about 15 minutes later. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and initiated another takeoff, during which he leveled off and accelerated the airplane about 50 ft above the ground, retracted the landing gear, and initiated a climb and an aileron roll. A witness reported that, about 135° into the maneuver, the airplane stopped rolling, then entered a descent that continued until ground impact. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed impairing levels of ethanol in addition to two impairing antidepressant medications. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot's loss of control during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. It is likely that the pilot's recent alcohol ingestion and his use of antidepressant medications affected his decision making and attention and contributed to the accident.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Prescription medication › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 200 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E185 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ID40 Melba ID at 8:30 pm
- Destination: ID40 Melba ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 2,892 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,100 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.59 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from EUL, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 17, 2021. 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 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 20-015 | PDF, 22 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Site Map | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Summary of Airplane Examination | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Photo Array of Accident Site | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N1888D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.