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 5, 1997 · Piper PA-18 · N1606A

Farewell, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Farewell, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N1606A
Operator
Willow Air Yenlo Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC97LA117

The pilot was maneuvering the airplane at low altitude in gusty wind conditions. He reported that during a turn, a wind gust rolled the airplane to a 75-degree bank angle, the airplane descended, and the right wing struck a tree.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush at low altitude. Factors to the accident were the pilot's low altitude flight maneuver and the gusty winds.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 1997, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N1606A, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees at position 62-10.4 north latitude, 154-01.05 west longitude, about 19 miles southeast of Farewell, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and single passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated by Yenlo Air of Willow, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was filed with a hunting guide. According to the Alaska State Trooper who interviewed the pilot, and the pilot/operator report, the pilot made a low pass at 300 feet over a sand bar. During the low pass, and while in a turn, a gust of wind rolled the airplane to 75 degrees angle of bank. The airplane descended while in the turn, and the right wing subsequently struck a tree. The airplane came to rest in the trees, with the wings vertical.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN1606A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWillow Air Yenlo Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingOvercast 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data