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

May 31, 1995 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8115L

Bluffton, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bluffton, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8115L
Operator
Griffing Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA128

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED HIS FINAL APPROACH SPEED WAS, 'A LITTLE FAST' AS HE CAME IN FOR A LANDING. ADDITIONALLY, HE REPORTED, '...VERY LITTLE CROSSWIND. WINDSOCK WAS LIMP...AS SOON AS MY WHEELS TOUCHED DOWN, EVERYTHING WENT TO THE LEFT....' THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, INTO A RAVINE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OR THE WHEELS.

NTSB Probable Cause

an improperly planned approach and touchdown, which resulted in an loss of directional control at touchdown, with the airplane departing the runway, and striking a ravine.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 1995, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-161, N8115L, was substantially damaged while landing at Bluffton, Ohio. The pilot, Gary Lemaitre, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot reported that the flight originated at Sandusky, Ohio, with Bluffton, as the planned destination. In a signed statement, he reported: Downwind for [runway] 23 - everything seemed normal. Final approach was a little fast (68 indicated). I noticed very little crosswind. Windsock was limp at 100 ft. Didn't feel like I hit the runway hard, but as soon as my wheels touched down, everything went to the left. Tail went to the right into a slide and then immediately into about a 15 ft ditch. No injuries noticed. The nose landing gear collapsed, the fuselage was wrinkled, and the right landing gear penetrated the right wing. No mechanical failure or malfunction was found with the wheels or brakes. Runway 23 was 4134 feet long. The landing threshold was displaced 400 feet. The airplane departed the runway 1600 feet from the displaced landing threshold.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportBLUFFTON (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length4125 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8115L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGriffing Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data