4 fatalities

Cessna P210N Crash at Burley Municipal Airport (N7825K)

Burley, ID, United States

On August 14, 2011, a CESSNA P210N (registration N7825K) operated by WHITTLE RANDAL was involved in an aviation accident near Burley, ID. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude and maintain aircraft control during a turn shortly after liftoff while operating at maximum gross weight, with a tailwind, and in high density altitude conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

On August 14, 2011, a Cessna P210N crashed shortly after takeoff from Burley Municipal Airport, Idaho, killing all four occupants. The aircraft impacted terrain and railroad tracks, resulting in a post-crash fire.

Accident Overview and Flight History On August 14, 2011, at approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Cessna P210N, registration N7825K, impacted terrain approximately 1.8 miles from the departure end of runway 020 at Burley Municipal Airport in Burley, Idaho. The private pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, was engaged in a Part 91 personal transportation flight departing for Provo Municipal Airport in Utah. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot and his immediate family had arrived at the airport by car after visiting extended family. Witnesses observed the pilot conduct a preflight inspection and load the family and baggage. The aircraft taxied to the approach end of runway 20, and while it was unclear if a run-up was performed or if the takeoff roll began at the displaced threshold, the aircraft was seen accelerating and lifting off approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway. Just after liftoff, the main landing gear retracted. At an estimated altitude of 75 feet, the aircraft banked left and began a gradual descent, ultimately impacting an asphalt road beyond the airport boundary in a 30-degree left bank. The left wingtip struck first, followed by the belly and propeller. The aircraft skipped back into the air, rotated counterclockwise, and collided with railroad tracks before coming to rest. An intense fire, initiated upon contact with the tracks, quickly engulfed the airframe.

Contributing factors

Causes

Altitude — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Maximum weightHigh density altitudeEffect on operation