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

September 6, 1997 · Piper PA-18-150 · N2349J

Harrah, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Harrah, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N2349J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA203

The pilot made two approaches to the east end of the grass airstrip. On the first approach he performed a touch-and-go, and on the second he did not touch down, but instead flew low over the length of the runway. At the end of the second approach, the pilot pulled up steeply, climbed a few hundred feet, and then entered a steeply banked right turn, resulting in a course reversal. After the reversal, he entered a rapidly descending slip toward the west end of the runway. Just after terminating the slip, the aircraft impacted 40 foot high power lines that were located about 20 feet from the runway threshold.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire while on final approach. A factor was a 40-foot high transmission wire located approximately 20 feet from the end of the airstrip.

Full Narrative

On September 6, 1997, approximately 1015 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N2349J, collided with electrical power lines while landing at Labbee Airstrip, Harrah, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which originated at Yakima Municipal Airport, Yakima, Washington, about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to witnesses, upon arriving at Labbee Airstrip, the pilot made two approaches from east to west. On the first approach he executed a touch-and-go landing, and then proceeded around the pattern. On the second approach, he did not touch down, but flew low over the runway. As he passed the west end of the runway, the pilot pulled the aircraft up steeply, and then after climbing a few hundred feet, initiated a steep left turn, resulting in a course reversal and an approach to the west end of the airstrip. After establishing himself on a high final, the pilot began slipping the aircraft, resulting in a rapid descent toward the approach end of the runway. Just after terminating the slip, the aircraft impacted the unmarked power lines near the west end of the runway. According to the FAA inspector who went to the scene of the accident, the power lines were about 40 feet above the runway surface, and located about 20 feet from the runway threshold. An inspection of the aircraft by this same inspector revealed no pre-impact anomalies with either the airframe or engine. According to witnesses, the pilot had flown this aircraft into the Labbee Airstrip on at least one previous occasion. A forensic toxicology examination detected Flecainide in the blood and urine of the pilot, and 24.00 ug/ml of Salicylate was detected in his urine. According to FAA's Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, neither drug is considered likely to effect mental or physical performance. An autopsy was completed by Dr. Daniel Selove, MD, and the manner of death was determined to be accidental due to blunt impact injuries to the head.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway7
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN2349J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C4P · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data