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 9, 1996 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164B · N6966K

Wellfleet, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wellfleet, NE
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N6966K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI96LA287

While conducting aerial spraying over rolling terrain, the pilot experienced a violent nose down motion of the airplane, followed by the airplane going into a left wing down attitude. He recovered from the left wing down attitude, but experienced a right wing and nose down situation. The airplane struck the rolling terrain with the right wing, which subsequently resulted in extensive damage. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies or operational problems prior to impact. He believed that he may have encountered a windshear condition. About 21 miles west (at North Platte), the wind was from 180 degrees at 10 gusting 17 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control, while maneuvering at low latitude. The hilly (rolling) terrain and unfavorable wind were related factors.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 1996, at 1200 central daylight time (cdt), a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6966K, registered to Wallace Flying Service, Inc., of Wallace, Nebraska, piloted by a commercial pilot, impacted terrain, while maneuvering during the aerial application of a herbicide. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported no injuries. The local CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated from Wallace, Nebraska, at 1150 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, after making six agriculture spraying passes over rolling terrain, the pilot turned downwind over trees and experienced a violent nose down followed by a left wing down. He recovered from the left wing down and experienced a right wing down and nose down attitude. The airplane struck the terrain with the right wing. A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) represented the NTSB on-scene. The PMI said the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies or operational problems prior to impact. The pilot believes he may have experienced a severe wind shear condition.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN6966K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data