Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in impact with a knoll and a subsequent ground-loop.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, after an uneventful flight, he verified the current weather conditions about 10 miles from the airport and subsequently entered the airport traffic pattern, at which point he chose to land on a grassy area between the runway and taxiway. The airplane touched down normally, but during the landing roll, the pilot saw an obstacle in the middle of the grassy area. The pilot was unable to react before the right main landing gear impacted a knoll, and the airplane ground looped. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA043 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 16, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nampa, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Nampa Muni (MAN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
BEARHAWK
- N-number
- N719JS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.