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

June 27, 1994 · Burkhart Grob G-109B · N109KM

Bend, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bend, OR
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G-109B
Tail Number
N109KM
Operator
Central Oregon Soaring
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA156

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE MOTORIZED GLIDER MAKING LOW-LEVEL STEEP TURNS AND PORPOISING-TYPE MANEUVERS OVER THE PILOT'S PROPERTY AND NEAR A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOUSE. THE LEFT WING AND NOSE THEN DROPPED, AND THE GLIDER IMPACTED THE GROUND. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS WERE POSITIVE FOR TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (MARIHUANA) (0.002 UG/ML BLOOD), THC CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIHUANA) (0.012 UG/ML BLOOD, 0.158 UG/ML URINE), ALPRAZOLAM (0.035 UG/ML BLOOD), DIAZEPAM (0.207 UG/ML BLOOD), AND NORDIAZEPAM (0.305 UG/ML BLOOD).

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO DRUGS, WHICH LED TO HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 27, 1994, at 1534 Pacific daylight time, a motorized Burkhart Grob G-109B, N109KM, collided with the terrain near Bend, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The glider was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight had departed from Bend, Oregon, on June 27, 1994, at an unknown time. Witnesses in the area reported that the glider was seen maneuvering at low levels near a family member's home and over the pilot's property. The glider was observed making a "porpoise" type maneuver before a left banking turn. The nose of the glider dropped and collided with the terrain in a nose and left wing low attitude. One witness stated that she heard a "popping" sound as the glider passed over her house. It then made a sharp U-turn and just cleared trees before visual contact was lost. Seconds later she heard the sound of the crash. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office was in the area at the time of the accident. The inspector reported that control continuity was established at the accident site before it was moved to Redmond, Oregon. The engine was inspected and found that one of the wooden propeller blades was broken off at the propeller hub. The other blade remained intact. The pitch of the blade was determined to be in the low pitch or unfeathered position. The crankshaft rotated easily and gear and valve train continuity was established. The oil screen was clean and clear of contaminants. The spark plugs displayed normal operating signatures. The magneto was destroyed. Engine control cable continuity was established from the firewall to the throttle, choke and carburetor heat. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Dr. Roger A. Schneider, Physician/Pathologist, Central Oregon Pathology Consultants, Bend, Oregon, determined that the cause of death was due to massive blunt trauma. Toxicological samples were taken and analyzed by the Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests confirmed positive results of Tetrahydrocannabinol (Marihuana), Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid, Alprazolam, Diazepam and Nordiazepam was detected in the blood and urine. Alpha-hydroxyalprazolam, Oxazepam, Temazepam and Salicylate was detected in the urine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:34 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G-109B
Tail NumberN109KM
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCentral Oregon Soaring
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAm Flugplatz · 174 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data