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

October 10, 1996 · Globe GC-1B · N3228K

Caldwell, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Caldwell, ID
Aircraft
Globe GC-1B
Tail Number
N3228K
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA009

The pilot was making a VFR approach on an easterly heading to a private airport. The aircraft collided with a fence and terrain about 1/4 mile from the approach end of the runway. Examination of the aircraft did not reveal any mechanical failures. The pilot subsequently died from injuries sustain in the accident. The pilot's son reported that the only thing the pilot said about the accident (before he died) was that the sun was in his eyes.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude to the runway, while on final approach to land. The sunglare was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On October 10, 1996, about 0928 mountain daylight time, a Globe GC-1B, N3228K, impacted a fence and terrain near Caldwell, Idaho. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot, the sole occupant, died from injuries received in the accident on October 24, 1996. The personal flight had departed Nampa, Idaho at an unknown time. The flight was being operated in VFR conditions and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane was observed by a witness at the Hubler airport. He said that the airplane seemed to be entering a downwind, but the witness was busy with other things so he didn't pay much attention. The witness later noticed the wing of an airplane sticking up near the west end of the field. He drove down the runway to investigate and found the wreckage with the pilot about 20-25 feet in front of the airplane. FAA inspectors did the on-scene investigation and provided the wreckage diagram and photos attached to this report. The airplane was less than 1/4 mile from the approach end of the runway. The wreckage was near a broken barbed wire fence and still had barbed wire attached to the empennage. The FAA inspectors observed that, while landing to the east at that time of day, the pilot would have had the sun relatively low in the sky and in front of him. An examination of the airplane engine was performed at the facility of Wolverine Engines on November 6, 1996 under the supervision of FAA inspectors. The observations and tests conducted during this examination did not reveal any evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction. The pilot's son told an FAA inspector that his father had been flying into Hubler field for 20 years but this was the first time, that the son was aware of, that the pilot had landed towards the east. He also said the only statement his father made about the accident was "the sun was in his eyes".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:28 PDT
Nearest AirportHUBLER (1nm W)
Runway10
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGlobe GC-1B
Tail NumberN3228K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-125 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data