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 13, 1996 · Piper PA-18 · N8109Y

Ephrata, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ephrata, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N8109Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA189

The pilot stated that he was landing off-airport to pick up some parts at a parts house. The landing was made on a driveway, which was 500 feet long and 20 feet wide. During the landing, the aircraft 'snagged a rock' and nosed over, causing substantial damage. The pilot stated that turbulence moved the aircraft to the left side of the driveway, where it impacted the rock. Also, he said that heavy braking and impacting the rock caused the aircraft to go over on its back. The pilot noted that the accident could have been avoided 'by not landing here.'

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment with the landing area (driveway) during the landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the selection of an unsuitable area for landing, the reported turbulence during landing, and an encounter with a rock beside the landing area, while using heavy braking action.

Full Narrative

On August 13, 1996, approximately 1040 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N8109Y, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over after impacting an object during the landing roll in a driveway near Ephrata, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which had originated at Ephrata , Washington, airport at 1020. The pilot stated that he was landing off-airport to pick up some parts at a parts house. During the landing roll on the driveway, which had a 500 by 20 foot landing area, the aircraft "snagged a rock" and nosed over, causing substantial damage. The pilot stated that turbulence moved the aircraft to the left side of the driveway, where a rock was impacted. He said that heavy braking and impacting the rock caused the aircraft to go over on its back. The pilot noted in his accident report that the accident could have been avoided "by not landing here."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN8109Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C4P · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data