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

August 8, 1995 · De Havilland DHC-2 · N144Q

Iliamna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (8 uninjured)
Location
Iliamna, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2
Tail Number
N144Q
Operator
Rainbow River Lodge
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA132

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A GLASSY WATER LANDING MANEUVER ON A LAKE. THE AIRPLANE FLEW PAST THE PILOT'S INTENDED POINT OF LANDING, AND HE ABORTED THE LANDING BY RAPIDLY APPLYING POWER. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE COUGHED AND THEN 'CAME TO LIFE' BUT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN IN THE DIRECTION OF ITS FLIGHT PATH.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S ABRUPT (IMPROPER) USE OF THE THROTTLE.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 1995, at 0815 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver airplane, N144Q, registered to and operated by Rainbow River Lodge, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing at Crosswind Lake, located near the confluence of Moraine and Funnel Creeks, 40 miles south of Iliamna, Alaska. The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the lodge on Lake Iliamna and the destination was Crosswind Lake. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport certificated pilot, the fishing guide, and the six passengers were not injured. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on August 10, 1995, he stated he was performing a glassy water landing and the airplane did not touchdown on the water and it "floated" approximately 1/3 of the way past the intended landing area. He applied power and the engine coughed. He stated that he applied throttle rapidly and not as smoothly as if he were applying power for a takeoff. The engine then "came to life" and he attempted to climb. The airplane would not out climb the rising terrain located in the direction of the intended flight. Examination of the engine at the accident site by an Alaska Aircraft Sales mechanic showed no reason for the engine problem. The carburetor was removed and reinstalled on the replacement engine. The ground test was normal and the subsequent flight was normal.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-2
Tail NumberN144Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRainbow River Lodge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (8 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured8
Total8
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data