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

November 24, 1997 · Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B · N2LU

Lecompte, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 24, 1997
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Lecompte, LA
Aircraft
Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N2LU
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA058

During the initial climb, at about 50 to 75 feet AGL, the instructor noticed that the airspeed was decaying, and he recalled telling the student several times to push forward on the controls. As the aircraft began to descend, the instructor took control of the airplane, and attempted to push forward on the controls, but the controls would not move forward. Subsequently, the airplane crossed over a power line, impacted a pecan tree, and came to rest on the right wing in an upright position. During wreckage examination, all flight controls responded and moved the flight control surfaces through their respective full operating ranges. A battery cover was found laying free beside the elevator control push tube. There were several rub marks on the end of the push tube at the 'thru' bolt end. Also, the battery cover had two small indentations on it, and the battery appeared to be new. No attachment bolts that would have been needed to secure the cover to the battery were found. An annual inspection had just been completed on the aircraft 4 days before, and total time since the annual inspection was 5 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

a loose battery cover, due to improper installation by maintenance personnel, that became jammed with an elevator control rod and restricted the movement of the elevator control system, which subsequently led to an uncontrolled impact with a tree, shortly after lift-off.

Full Narrative

On November 24, 1997, at 1600 central standard time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane (which was modified as a 2 seat trainer), owned and operated by Barham Bros. Inc., of Oak, Louisiana, was substantially damaged, during a forced landing following a loss of control after takeoff, near Lecompte, Louisiana. The instructor pilot sustained minor injuries and the student pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, for which no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a grass airstrip at Summerville Airport, Lecompte, Louisiana, at 1559. In an interview the instructor pilot reported to the Safety Board that, the flight was intended for instruction in aerial application. He was seated in the front seat, and the student was seated in the rear seat. With the student pilot at the controls, they executed a normal take off from runway 11. During the initial climb, at about 50 to 75 feet AGL, the instructor noticed that the airspeed was decaying, and recalled telling the student several times to push forward on the controls. As the aircraft began to descend, the instructor took control of the airplane and attempted to push forward on the controls, but the controls would not move forward. During this aforementioned sequence, the instructor reported that he recalls a towel that was in the front seat with him, seem to "hang in the air", relating to some negative "G" forces. Subsequently, the airplane crossed over a power line, impacted a pecan tree, and came to rest on the right wing, in the upright position. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that structural damaged was sustained by both wings and the fuselage. The propeller was found curled and the right main gear separated from the airplane. During the wreckage examination, the inspector checked flight control continuity from the cockpit controls to the elevator, ailerons, and rudder control surfaces. All flight controls responded and moved the flight control surfaces through their respective full operating ranges. After the control system continuity check, the inspector found a battery cover laying free beside the elevator control push tube. He reported that there were several rub marks on the end of the push tube at the "thru" bolt end. Also, he found that the battery cover had two small indentations on it and that the battery was new. No attachment bolts that would be needed to secure the cover to the battery were found. An annual inspection had just been completed on the aircraft on November 20, 1997. Total time since the annual inspection was 5 hours. As of the date of this report, it has not been determined whether the battery was replaced during, before, or after the annual inspection. Numerous attempts (including certified mail) to retrieve a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Report, have not been successful. Information in this report was derived from initial interviews and FAA records.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN2LU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data