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

April 10, 1994 · Piper J3 · N37932

Denali Nat'L Pk, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Denali Nat'L Pk, AK
Aircraft
Piper J3
Tail Number
N37932
Operator
Hutcheson Calvin W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA044

THE PRIVATE PILOT, ALASKA HUNTING GUIDE, WAS FLYING SUPPLIES TO CLIENTS IN THE FIELD LANDED ON REMOTE SNOW COVERED TUNDRA. UPON LANDING, THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR BOLT ATTACHMENT FITTING FAILED AND THE PLANE GROUND LOOPED. PREEXISTING FATIGUE WAS NOTED ON ATTACHMENT FITTING. THE FITTING IS NORMALLY ENCLOSED IN FABRIC RENDERING IT INACCESSIBLE FOR VISUAL INSPECTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR BOLT ATTACHMENT FITTING DUE TO FATIGUE.

Full Narrative

On April 8, 1994, at 1645 Alaska daylight time, a ski equipped Piper J-3 Cub airplane, N37932, owned and operated by the pilot- in-command, crashed during landing at a remote landing site near the Tokositna River in the Denali National Park. The private certificated pilot, an Alaska registered hunting guide, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The business flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of resupplying a hunting camp, last departed Trapper Creek, Alaska and the intended destination was the accident site. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no filed flight plan in effect. On the evening of April 09, 1994, the NTSB investigator-in-charge conducted a telephone interview with the pilot-in-command. The pilot reported that he was delayed in getting into the camp earlier in the day due to reduced visibility from a mixture of light rain and snow and there was poor contrast with the surrounding terrain which produced a flat light condition. Upon landing, was reported normal in every way, the right landing gear collapsed due to a gear bolt attachment failure. The right ski tipped forward and dug into the snow causing the right wing tip to collide with the snow resulting in a ground loop. The pilot forwarded the failed bolt attachment fitting to the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The fitting evidenced preexisting fatigue in the form of darkened discoloration along the fracture surface. The fitting is normally enclosed in fabric rendering it inaccessible for visual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3
Tail NumberN37932
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHutcheson Calvin W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1-TC · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data