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 19, 1996 · Price Berkut · N538AJ

Jackson, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Jackson, WY
Aircraft
Price Berkut
Tail Number
N538AJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA126

As the pilot approached his destination, the landing gear 'transition' light illuminated indicating operation of the hydraulic pump, although the landing gear was still retracted. When the pilot lowered the landing gear, they failed to extend. He then manually lowered the gear, but was unable to obtain green 'down and locked' indicator lights for the main gear. During the landing, the main gear collapsed, and the aircraft impacted several runway lights. Postcrash examination revealed that the electrically driven hydraulic pump had burned out. Additionally, the over-center downlock springs, which were to assist in manually locking the gear into a down-and-locked condition during manual extension, had never been installed by the builder/previous owner.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the electrically driven hydraulic pump; and the absence of the main landing gear over-center downlock springs, which were not installed by the previous owner/builder.

Full Narrative

On June 18, 1996, approximately 1915 hours mountain daylight time, a homebuilt Price Berkut, N538AJ, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the landing gear collapsed on landing roll on runway 18 at the Jackson Hole airport, Jackson, Wyoming. The pilot was uninjured. No flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Sioux City, Iowa, approximately 1500. The pilot reported that approaching the Jackson Hole airport while in turbulence the landing gear "transition" light (indicating hydraulic pump operation) illuminated even though the gear was presumed to be retracted. When the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear they remained retracted. He then manually lowered the gear and the nose landing gear green "down and locked" light illuminated but the corresponding main gear lights did not. The pilot attempted side load maneuvers and high "G" pull-ups to attempt to lock the main landing gear without success and the corresponding main gear green lights remained out. He then executed an approach and landing during which the main landing gear collapsed on rollout and the aircraft impacted several runway light during the subsequent ground slide. The pilot reported in a subsequent telephone conversation that the electrically driven hydraulic motor which operates the landing gear had burned out. Additionally, he reported that the over-center downlock springs which insure the main landing achieving a down-and-locked condition when the hydraulic system has failed, were not installed in the aircraft by the owner/builder from whom he purchased the aircraft. The pilot submitted only pages 1 through 4 of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 and did not include a narrative history of flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 MDT
Nearest AirportJackson Hole (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6299 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPrice Berkut
Tail NumberN538AJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 15 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data