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

June 17, 1995 · Christen Industries S-2B · N260RG

Elgin, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Elgin, IL
Aircraft
Christen Industries S-2B
Tail Number
N260RG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI95LA185

ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING AN AIRPORT FOLLOWING AN AEROBATIC DEMONSTRATION BY THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE HOSPITAL'S TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD SHOWED 284 MG/DL OF ALCOHOL (0.248% BAC). THE FAA'S CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INSTITUTE TOXICOLOGY REPORT SHOWED 288.000 MG/DL ETHANOL IN THE BLOOD (0.288% BAC) AND 280.000 MG/DL OF ETHANOL IN THE URINE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD 0.100 MCG/ML DIAZEPAM (VALIUM) AND 0.114 MCG/ML NORDIAZEPAM IN THE BLOOD. DIAZEPAM AND NORDIAZEPAM ARE ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS, MUSCLE RELAXANTS, AND ANTI-CONVULSANTS, AND ARE NOT APPROVED FOR USE WHILE FLYING.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's incapacitation due to alcohol and drugs which led to a loss of consciousness.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 1995, at 1749 central daylight time (cdt), a Christen Pitts S-2B, N290RG, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the ground and subsequent fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed Crystal Lake, Illinois, at 1730 cdt. According to the pilot's statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he lost consciousness about ten minutes after departing the airport following an aerobatic demonstration. He said he recalled colliding with the ground and trying to get free of the airplane. Witnesses observed the airplane bank left and right before it made a steep descent toward the ground. N290RG's wreckage trail was on an approximate heading of 135 degrees magnetic. The airplane's main landing gear tire produced two imprints onto a newly seeded farm field. About 400 feet after the tire imprints the airplane came to rest and caught fire. Examination of the airframe revealed no pre-collision failures. Flight control system continuity was established from the cockpit to each control surface. Aileron control cables had been separated, the ends of these cables were broomed and strand ends exhibited necking. Fire damage to the engine was extensive. Mechanical continuity of its major components was established. During an interview with an FAA Principal Operations Inspector (POI) the pilot stated he must have fallen asleep. The POI asked the pilot if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages during the day. The pilot said he had not. The pilot's wife was a passenger in the airplane. She said she was not aware of any problem with the pilot or airplane before the accident. The POI asked the passenger if the pilot had consumed any alcoholic beverages. She said she did not think he had consumed any before, or after, the air show. The passenger said the pilot had appeared totally exhausted after the air show. Hospital records for the injured pilot showed that a chemistry- toxicological examination was performed. The results of the blood test revealed 284 MG/DL of alcohol. This sample was taken at 1833 cdt on June 17, 1995. Blood and urine samples for the pilot were examined by the FAA's Civil Aero Medical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Their report showed the pilot had 288.000 (mg/dl) Ethanol detected in the blood and 280.000 (mg/dl) ethanol detected in the urine. Diazepam (0.100 ug/ml, ug/g) was detected in the blood and 0.114 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Nordiazepam was also detected in the blood. Both drugs were also detected in the urine sample.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:49 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristen Industries S-2B
Tail NumberN260RG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEI0-540 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 12 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data