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 31, 1998 · Cessna 180 · N180AJ

Sun Valley, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sun Valley, ID
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N180AJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA032

The pilot stated that he had landed earlier on a plowed runway with hard-packed snow and ice surface conditions. He believed that while taxiing for turnaround at the end of the runway, the right-hand brake apparently became hydraulically locked due to engagement of the parking brake mechanism on that side. He stated that at no time was the parking brake handle pulled. He said his takeoff on the icy runway seemed normal, and he was completely unaware of the locked condition of the brake at that time. Upon touchdown at Hailey, the airplane immediately veered violently to the right and the brake remained locked. The airplane swerved to the right before nosing over. Investigation determined that the parking brake locking lever on the right brake cylinder was in its overcenter position, locking the brake.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent actuation of the parking brake.

Full Narrative

On January 30, 1998, approximately 1838 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180, N180AJ, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, Idaho. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The flight, which had originated at Magic Reservoir, was conducted under 14 CFR 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no report of the ELT actuating. The pilot stated that he had landed at Magic Reservoir, a plowed runway with hard-packed snow and ice surface conditions. He believed that while taxiing for turnaround at the end of the runway, the right-hand brake apparently became hydraulically locked due to engagement of the parking brake mechanism on that side. He stated that at no time was the parking brake handle pulled. He said his takeoff on the icy runway seemed normal, and he was completely unaware of the locked condition of the brake at that time. Upon touchdown at Hailey, the airplane immediately veered violently to the right and the brake remained locked. The airplane swerved to the right before nosing over. Investigation determined that the parking brake locking lever on the right brake cylinder was in its overcenter position, locking the brake. The pilot reported that he never used the parking brake on this airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:38 MST
Nearest AirportFriedman Memorial (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length6602 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN180AJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:14
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data