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

March 18, 1995 · Scheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 Bergfalke · N5924

Bozeman, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bozeman, MT
Aircraft
Scheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 Bergfalke
Tail Number
N5924
Operator
Stradley Roger
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA069

WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE RELIED ON THE ALTIMETER TO DETERMINE ELEVATION, EVEN THOUGH HE FELT THAT HE WAS LOW. WHILE TURNING BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS TOO LOW AND WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE RUNWAY. DURING A LEFT TURN TO MANEUVER TO AN ACCESS ROAD, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER SPUN AROUND BEFORE COMING TO REST. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT GET THE CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING FROM THE FSS BEFORE LANDING, AND NOTED THAT THE ALTIMETER READING WAS 170 FT HIGHER THAN FIELD ELEVATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING.

Full Narrative

On March 18, 1995, at 1200 mountain standard time, a Scheibe Bergfalke II-55, N5924, collided with the terrain short of runway 21 at Bozeman, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The glider was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was a solo flight to accumulate time for the glider rating. After gliding for approximately two hours, the pilot returned to the airport for landing. While in the traffic pattern, the pilot reported that he relied on the altimeter to determine the gliders elevation, even though the pilot stated that he felt low. While turning from the base leg to final approach, the pilot stated that the glider was too low and that he was not going to make the runway. The pilot selected an access road and during the left turn, the left wing collided with the ground. The glider spun around before coming to rest. After the accident, the pilot noted that the altimeter read 4,650 feet. The field elevation is 4,480. The pilot stated that before take off he had set the altimeter to field elevation, however, he did not reset the altimeter for the landing. Runway advisory services are available for the airport. The pilot stated that he got the wind direction and speed, but did not ask or receive the current altimeter setting for the landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MST
Nearest AirportGallatin Field (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftScheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 Bergfalke
Tail NumberN5924
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStradley Roger
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 27 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data