Cessna 177 accident near Cascade, Idaho, May 28, 2026
On May 28, 2026 at about 5:35 pm local time, a 1976 Cessna 177, registered N13430, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Cascade, Idaho (Big Creek airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper approach, which resulted in a faster than normal touchdown and subsequent runway overrun.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2026 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Cascade, Idaho · Big Creek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 B, built 1976 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N13430 · registry record · serial 17702420
- 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 his first landing attempt at the back-country airport, the airplane was too high on the approach, so he performed a go-around. He flew a longer final approach to prepare for the second landing attempt. After touchdown, the airplane was traveling too fast to stop before the end of the runway. The pilot said he “pulled up” to avoid vehicles parked at the departure end of the runway; however, the airplane did not attain sufficient altitude to clear the obstacles. The nose landing gear and lower fuselage struck an unoccupied parked vehicle, and the left wing subsequently struck a signpost. The airplane rotated about 180° and came to rest about 200 ft beyond the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot sustained a minor injury, and the passenger sustained a serious injury. The pilot further stated that he likely encountered a tailwind during the landing attempt. He noted that the density altitude and tight canyon operating environment were not familiar to him; that he did not verify the airplane’s ground speed using the on-board GPS on the downwind and final legs. The pilot added that had he done so, he might have recognized the problem earlier. He stated that he had previously reviewed the Idaho Department of Aeronautics operating procedures document. Based on that information, he determined that once he had touched down on the runway he was committed to the landing, and a go-around was not advisable. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 25,080 hours in all; 61.5 in this make and model; 15.9 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 11,380 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 24, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,379.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 15, 2025; 42.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O360-A1F6D (piston); 3,379 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYL Mccall ID at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01/1, 3,550 ft by 110 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from KMYL, 36 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMYL 281751Z AUTO 25003KT 10SM CLR 21/13 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP053 T02060128 10206 20078 58009
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Airplane Wreckage and Location
Photograph 2 – Airplane Wreckage, Right Side
Photograph 3 – Damaged Ground VehicleThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on August 27, 2026. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Big Creek U60 Recommended Standard Operating Procedures | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR26LA206.