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

January 30, 1998 · Cessna 150F · N8798G

Havre, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 30, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Havre, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 150F
Tail Number
N8798G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA031

The student pilot had received three hours of dual instruction, but had not yet soloed. The airplane was removed from its hangar and flown without authorization from its owner. The student pilot's whereabouts were known until about 2347 the previous evening, and the airplane was first noted to be missing about 0530 in the morning. There were no known witnesses to the crash. However, one individual remembered seeing an airplane at 0130, which caught his attention, as it was departing to the east with winds from the west. He said the engine was not very loud, and the airplane was about 3-400 feet off the ground. He remembered seeing red and green lights and the airplane 'bobbing' in the wind, with the wings tipping from side to side. He left for work without paying further attention to the airplane, while it was still west of his house. The house is located about 1-2 blocks southwest of the crash site. FAA inspectors conducted an on-scene investigation and reported that no pre-crash mechanical anomalies were found. Toxicological testing by the FAA of samples from the student pilot confirmed a concentration of 52 mg/dl ethanol in blood, 116 mg/dl in brain fluid, and 152 mg/dl in urine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's loss of control after his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors include his lack of total flight experience and incapacitation due to alcohol.

Full Narrative

On January 30, 1998, about 0130 mountain standard time, N8798G, a Cessna 150F, collided with terrain at the departure end of runway 07 at Havre, Montana. The student pilot, who had received about three hours of dual flight instruction but had not yet soloed, was fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There was no fire, and no report of the ELT actuating. The airplane was removed from its hangar and flown without authorization from its owner. The student pilot's whereabouts were known until about 2347 on the previous night (which was the time he terminated a telephone conversation with a friend in Chinook, Montana), and the airplane was first noted to be missing about 0530 in the morning. There were no known witnesses to the crash. However, one individual remembered seeing an airplane at 0130, which caught his attention, as it was departing to the east with winds from the west. He said the engine was not very loud, and the airplane was about 3-400 feet off the ground. He remembered seeing red and green lights and the airplane "bobbing" in the wind, with the wings tipping from side to side. He left for work without paying further attention to the airplane, while it was still west of his house. The house is located about 1-2 blocks southwest of the crash site. FAA inspectors conducted an on-scene investigation and reported that no pre-crash mechanical anomalies were found. Toxicological testing by the FAA confirmed a concentration of 52.000 mg/dl ethanol in blood, 116.000 mg/dl in brain fluid, and 152.000 mg/dl in urine. An autopsy was performed by Roland N. Lass, for the Hill County Coroner's office on January 30, 1998, which cited the probable cause of death as massive traumatic injuries secondary to a plane crash.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:30 MST
Nearest AirportHavre City (1nm ENE)
Runway7
Runway Length5205 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN8798G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 19 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind230° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time07:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data