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

September 18, 1994 · Oestreich AVID Flyer MK IV AVID Flyer · N1280D

Moses Lake, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Moses Lake, WA
Aircraft
Oestreich AVID Flyer MK IV AVID Flyer
Tail Number
N1280D
Operator
Oestreich Gerald M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA241

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A WATER LANDING, THE AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A HIGH SINK RATE. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT WAS NOT RATED FOR SEAPLANE OPERATIONS AND EXCEPT FOR TWENTY HOURS HE HAD RECENTLY ACCUMULATED IN THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

PROPER DESCENT RATE WAS EXCEEDED. LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OPERATION WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On September 18, 1994, at 1627, an amphibian Oestreich Avid Flyer Mk IV, N1280D, landed hard and nosed over during the water landing on Moses Lake, Moses Lake, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured. The flight had departed from Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, on September 18, 1994, at 1600, for the personal flight to the pilot's residence on the lake. In a written statement, the pilot reported that while on final approach to the lake, the airplane experienced a high sink rate and landed hard on the water. The right float collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, reported that a total time of 20 hours had been accumulated in the airplane since its completion. The pilot holds a private pilot certificate for single engine land airplanes and is not rated for seaplane operations. The pilot also reported that except for the 20 hours that were recently accumulated in the Avid Flyer, he had not flown for approximately three years prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:27 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftOestreich AVID Flyer MK IV AVID Flyer
Tail NumberN1280D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOestreich Gerald M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data