Casualties unknown

Pilot Received Weather Briefing With Icing and Low Ceilings Before Accident (N5865J)

Lovelock, NV, US

On June 4, 1993, a Beech S35 (registration N5865J) was involved in an aviation accident near Lovelock, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

At 0356, a pilot was briefed on weather hazards including moderate turbulence, mountain obscurement, icing, and low ceilings. VFR flight was not recommended. Departing Las Vegas at 0507, no ATC communication occurred. Wreckage was later found at 8,000 ft on a mountain; witnesses reported 400-ft ceilings.

Weather Briefing

At 0356, the pilot received a weather briefing that included flight precautions for Nevada. The briefing indicated moderate turbulence, occasional mountain obscurement, occasional moderate rime or mixed icing, and some ceilings below 1,000 ft with visibility below 3 miles. The pilot was advised that VFR flight was not recommended in the mountain obscurement area. When the pilot inquired about an alternate route, he was informed that route had many of the same precautions.

Flight

The flight departed Las Vegas at 0507. There is no record of any communications between the pilot and air traffic control.

Accident Site

The airplane wreckage was subsequently found at the 8,000-ft level of a mountain. Witnesses near the accident site reported ceilings of about 400 ft and mountain obscuration.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12637. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.