Beech A36 accident near Sulphur Creek, Idaho, May 28, 2021
On May 28, 2021 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1991 Beech A36, registered N8140G, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sulphur Creek, Idaho (Sulphur Creek Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control during takeoff when the airplane encountered a tailwind and gusting winds which resulted in an aborted takeoff and forced landing to rough terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2021 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sulphur Creek, Idaho · Sulphur Creek Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1991 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N8140G · no longer on the register · serial E-2635
- 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, during takeoff, and while in ground effect, the airplane encountered a quartering tailwind that pushed the airplane to the left and reduced the airplane’s climb performance. As the airplane passed a line of trees, at an altitude of 3-5 ft above ground level, it encountered a 90° wind gust from the left. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff when the airplane drifted further to the left and would not climb. The pilot initiated a forced landing on a rough field. The airplane’s forward fuselage was substantially damaged when it collided with the terrain and nosed down. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident 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
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,248 hours in all; 1,126 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 21, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,418.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 29, 2021; 25.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,780 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO550 (piston); 59 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 3,300 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 am from MYL, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.