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Accidents · NTSB WPR26LA302 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Cessna 208B accident near Salmon, Idaho, August 9, 2026

On August 9, 2026 at about 8:20 pm local time, a 2013 Cessna 208B, registered N247JP, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Salmon, Idaho (Lemhi County airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved. 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
August 9, 2026 · about 8:20 pm local time · cases in 2026
Place
Salmon, Idaho · Lemhi County · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 208B, built 2013 · all 208Bs on the register
Registration
N247JP · registry record · serial 208B5047
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)

The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record

On August 9, 2026, at 1420 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N247JP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Salmon, Idaho. The pilot and eight passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The pilot reported that, after an uneventful flight from the departure airport, he joined the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 17. While turning onto the base leg, he extended the wing flaps in preparation for landing and subsequently heard a loud “pop.” Immediately thereafter, the airplane made an aggressive, uncommanded roll to the left and banked to about 45°. The pilot attempted to regain lateral control by applying right aileron. He moved the control yoke to the full right aileron position and adjusted the aileron trim to the full right setting. The airplane touched down normally, and the pilot taxied it to the ramp without further incident. Following the landing, a company mechanic examined the flight control systems and found substantial damage to the left wing spar. A preliminary examination identified a loose flap bolt that allowed the lower portion of the aft bellcrank to move freely. The aft bellcrank was designed to attach to the airplane with a bolt secured to an anchor nut assembly on its lower surface (see figure 1). The hardware will be retained for further examination. Figure 1: Diagram showing the location of the loose bolt

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

  1. Flight control sys malf/fail during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 7,229 hours
  • Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 27, 2026; 30 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 8,842 lb
  • Seats: 12
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Operator: Gem Air LLC

The flight

  • Departed from: BOI Boise ID at 9:35 pm
  • Runway 17/3, 5,510 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 210° at 5 knots
  • Visibility: 7 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
  • Observation at 4:00 pm from KSMN

Weather report (METAR): METAR KSMN 102156Z AUTO 21005KT 7SM CLR 32/12 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP101 T03220117

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers8

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.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

Aircraft
Place

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR26LA302.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.