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

October 9, 1994 · Hayes Long-Ez · N33EZ

Collinsville, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 9, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Collinsville, AL
Aircraft
Hayes Long-Ez
Tail Number
N33EZ
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA059

BEFORE THE FLIGHT OF TWO AIRCRAFT DEPARTED KENTUCKY, THE PILOTS RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING, AND VISUAL FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PILOT OF THE LEAD AIRPLANE WAS AWARE OF THE FRONTAL SYSTEM, AND THE LOW CEILINGS. AS THE FLIGHT OF TWO APPROACHED THE FRONT, THE LEAD AIRCRAFT CONTINUED INTO INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE TRAIL AIRPLANE DIVERTED INTO ANOTHER AIRPORT. THE LEAD AIRPLANE NEVER ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. AFTER AN EXTENDED SEARCH, THE FIRE DAMAGED AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT THE 1450 LEVEL OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 9, 1994, at 1030 central standard time, a Hayes Long-EZ, N33EZ, collided with the ground at the 1450 foot level of Lookout Mountain near Collinsville, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot received fatal injuries. The flight departed Falls Of Rough, Kentucky, at 1000 hours on October 9, 1994, and the aircraft wreckage was located on March 5, 1995. According to another pilot, flying as part of the flight of two aircraft, he obtained a weather briefing from Louisville Flight Service Station before they departed. He stated that the weather information was shared with the pilot of N33EZ, he was also aware of the weathers condition as they approached Huntsville, Alabama. The second pilot also recalled the briefer telling him that visual flight was not recommended because of the forecasted low cloud condition in the vicinity of Huntsville. As the flight of two approached the forecasted frontal system, they experienced low clouds, reduced visibility, and rain showers. After visual contact was lost with N33EZ the second pilot elected to divert into Gadsden, Alabama. At this point he assumed that N33EZ had continued on to Tampa, Florida. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is contained in this report at the data field Labeled "First Pilot Information." A review of the pilot certificate revealed that the pilot was not instrument qualified. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the airplane is included in the data field labeled "Aircraft Information." Aircraft maintenance logs for N33EZ were not recovered for examination. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual weather conditions prevailed at Gadsden, Alabama , however the exact weather conditions at the accident site were not determined. As the flight of two approached the forecasted frontal system, they experienced reduced visibility and rain showers (see attached weather data). Weather information for the nearest weather reporting site is included in this report at the data field labeled "Weather Information." WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The examination of the accident site disclosed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 75 feet long and 25 feet wide. The airplane collided with several trees before resting on a 240 degree magnetic heading. The airplane center section and wing assemblies were destroyed by a post-impact fire. Examination of the airframe and engine assemblies failed to disclose a mechanical failure or system malfunction (see attached FAA inspector's statement.) MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Dr. Joseph H. Embry, on March 7, 1995, at Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville. The cause of death was reported as multiple trauma secondary to the aircraft accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHayes Long-Ez
Tail NumberN33EZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data