On August 10, 1986, a Maule M-5-235C (registration N6267M) operated by George M. Monfore was involved in an aviation accident near Grangeville, ID. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A passenger reported the pilot made multiple passes over a salt lick, each time getting closer to trees. On the last pass, the aircraft fell, hit trees, and landed upside down. Fire broke out, and the three occupants sustained severe burns before escaping. The aircraft was destroyed, and one burn victim later died.
Incident Details
A passenger who was aboard the aircraft stated that the pilot made more than one pass over a location referred to as "a salt lick." On each successive pass, the aircraft came progressively lower and closer to the treetops. During the final pass, the aircraft "just fell out of the sky," according to the passenger. It struck the trees and then landed upside down. A fire ignited almost immediately while the pilot and two passengers were still trapped inside the burning aircraft.
Injuries and Damage
All three individuals—the pilot and the two passengers—sustained severe burns before they managed to escape from the aircraft. The aircraft itself was destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire. One of the burn victims later succumbed to their injuries and died.