Beech A36 accident near Coolin, Idaho, July 9, 2025
On July 9, 2025 at about 1:40 am local time, a 1993 Beech A36, registered N41VH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Coolin, Idaho (Cavanaugh Bay airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 9, 2025 · about 1:40 am local time
- Place
- Coolin, Idaho · Cavanaugh Bay · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1993 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N41VH · registry record · serial E-2832
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 8, 2025, about 1840 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36, N41VH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Coolin, Idaho. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while departing from Cavanaugh Bay Airport (66S) Coolin, Idaho, the right wing contacted a tree at the end of the runway, and the airplane rolled over and came to rest in a lake located just off the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Witnesses to the accident reported they heard the engine running at a “high RPM” and saw the airplane make a steep right bank on the departure end of the runway before the right wing struck trees. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be about 5,267 ft. The wreckage was retained for further examination.
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 during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Runway 33, 3,100 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KSZT, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSZT 090135Z AUTO 22005KT 10SM CLR 33/03 A2986 RMK AO2
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.