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

February 25, 1995 · Pitts S-2B · N49335

Spokane, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Spokane, WA
Aircraft
Pitts S-2B
Tail Number
N49335
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA056

THE PILOT OF THE AEROBATIC AIRPLANE WAS PRACTICING AN INVERTED FLAT SPIN WHEN THE PROPELLER AND CRANKSHAFT FLANGE SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE PILOT RECOVERED FROM THE MANEUVER, THEN MADE A FORCED LANDING ONTO A 780 FOOT MODEL AIRPLANE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT OVERRAN THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THEN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SETTLED INTO SOFT SOIL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN CONDUCTING RECURRENT CRANKSHAFT FLANGE INSPECTIONS, AS RECOMMENDED BY A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT. FACTORS WERE THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE PILOT/OWNER'S FAILURE TO CONDUCT RECURRING CRANKSHAFT INSPECTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Full Narrative

On February 24, 1995, approximately 1715 Pacific standard time (PST), a Pitts S-2B, N49335, nosed over after making a forced landing about 10 miles northwest of Spokane, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The practice aerobatic flight, which departed Felts Field, Spokane, Washington at about 1630, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, while practicing an inverted flat spin, the propeller and crankshaft flange separated from the engine. He then recovered from the maneuver, and made a forced landing at a 780 foot model airplane runway. During the landing roll, the aircraft rolled beyond the end of the runway and the main gear settled into soft soil and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot stated that he had not been conducting the recurring (each ten hours of operation) crankshaft inspections recommended by the manufacturer in Lycoming service bulletin number 482, which relates to crankshaft flange area cracking on this model engine when it is used for unlimited-style aerobatics, including inverted spins.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S-2B
Tail NumberN49335
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility2530 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data