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, 1997 · Maule M-5 · N290X

West Fargo, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
West Fargo, ND
Aircraft
Maule M-5
Tail Number
N290X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA120

The pilot had moved his airplane from the airport due to flooding. He was in the process of returning the airplane, when the accident occurred. The majority of the airport was still under water with the exception of a 600-700 foot section of taxiway in front of the T-hangars on which the pilot was attempting to land. The pilot stated he lost a headwind, when he descended below the hangar height, and the airplane touched down short of the taxiway in two to three feet of water. The airplane then contacted the edge of the taxiway and nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind conditions, and the terrain condition where the airplane touched down.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 1997, at 0930 central daylight time, a Maule M-5, N290X, registered to and flown by a commercial pilot nosed over on landing at the West Fargo Utility Airport, West Fargo, North Dakota. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota, at 0915 cdt. The pilot had moved his airplane from the West Fargo Utility Airport due to flooding in area. He was in the process of moving the airplane back to the airport when the accident occurred. Most of the airport was under water with the exception of an 600 to 700 foot long section of taxiway. The pilot was attempting to land on this section of taxiway which he reported was in front of his T-hangar. The pilot reported that during the landing he lost the headwind when he descended below the hangar and he became disoriented due to the "glassy water on 3 sides." The airplane touched down in two to three feet of water approximately six feet short of the intended touchdown point on the taxiway. According to the pilot, the airplane contacted the edge of the taxiway and nosed over "Coming to rest exactly at intended touchdown point."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest AirportWest Fargo Utility (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-5
Tail NumberN290X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind2° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data