Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

March 8, 1994 · Tucker Kitfox IV · N1942J

Vancouver, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Vancouver, WA
Aircraft
Tucker Kitfox IV
Tail Number
N1942J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA076

WHEN THE PILOT, WHO WAS ALSO THE MANUFACTURER, PUT THE SEAT IN THE 'KIT-BUILT' AIRCRAFT, HE DID NOT ATTACH THE SEAT TO THE AIRFRAME AS RECOMMENDED BY THE KIT DESIGNER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 28 HOURS OF TOTAL FLYING TIME, THE SEAT SLIPPED FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION IN THE AIRFRAME DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, AND FELL UPON THE AILERON CONTROL ROD. THIS CAUSED THE AILERON CONTROL SYSTEM TO JAM, AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND USING RUDDER AND ELEVATOR CONTROL INPUTS. DURING THE ENSUING FULL STOP LANDING, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AS HE INITIATED THE LANDING FLARE.

NTSB Probable Cause

AILERON FLIGHT CONTROLS THAT WERE JAMMED BY THE PILOT'S SEAT SLIPPING FROM ITS MOUNT. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE SEAT INSTALLATION BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Full Narrative

On March 8, 1994, approximately 1210 Pacific standard time (PST), a Tucker KITFOX IV, N1942J, collided with the terrain during a landing attempt at Evergreen Field, Vancouver, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight, which departed the same location about 1145 PST, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, the seat fell down onto the flight controls during a touch-and-go landing, and he executed a go-around using rudder and elevator control inputs. During the subsequent landing, flight control movements were restricted by the seat's interference with the aileron control system, and the pilot lost control of the aircraft during the landing flare. Further investigation revealed that the pilot, who was also the manufacturer, did not attach the seat to the airframe as recommended by the kit designer. Because the seat was not attached with either the tie wraps or Adele clamps the kit designer suggested using, the seat slipped from the position in which it had been installed, and fell upon the aileron control rod.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 PST
Nearest AirportEvergreen Field (0nm)
Runway28L
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTucker Kitfox IV
Tail NumberN1942J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 LC · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 13000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data