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 3, 1996 · Nanchang CJ-6A · N62160

Molalla, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Molalla, OR
Aircraft
Nanchang CJ-6A
Tail Number
N62160
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA087

The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff for a long cross-country ferry flight, he did not think that the engine sounded right and he made a precautionary landing to an airfield. The pilot stated that the runway was wet, and when he applied brakes, the airplane did not slow sufficiently to stop before it traveled off the runway and collided with a ditch. After the accident, the braking system was inspected and no mechanical failure or malfunction was found. The tires displayed a worn spot, and the tread was melted. Later, the pilot reported that he did not feel that the brakes failed. He believed that due to the wet runway and landing long (1,000 feet down the 2,400 foot runway), he was not able to stop the airplane before it ran off the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to adequately plan the approach, and his misjudgment of distance and speed during the landing. The wet runway was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 1996, at 1515 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Nanchang China CJ-6A, N62160, registered to John A. Buchok, and operated by the pilot, ran off the end of runway 36 at Molalla, Oregon and collided with a ditch. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot and his private pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The flight had originated from Aurora, Oregon, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to California after the airplane had undergone extensive reconstruction. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff from Aurora, the engine did not sound right, and he decided to make a precautionary landing to runway 36 at Molalla. The pilot stated that the runway was wet from a previous rain shower and the airplane touched down approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold. The pilot applied "normal braking pressure and found little response." The pilot stated that he then applied full braking action and attempted to ground loop the airplane to the left before it exited the end of the runway. The airplane then ran off the end of the runway and collided with a raised roadway. The airplane then slid across the roadway and collided with a ditch. Two Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane after the accident. The inspectors reported that they did not find a mechanical failure or malfunction with the landing gear brake system. The tires appeared to be new and the inspectors noted flat spots and melting on the tire tread. The pilot, who was present at the time of the inspection, stated to the inspectors that he did not feel that the brake system failed, however, he felt that because of the water on the runway and landing long, he was not able to stop the airplane before it ran off the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PDT
Nearest AirportSKYDIVE (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width24 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNanchang CJ-6A
Tail NumberN62160
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHousia · 6A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data