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

July 18, 1998 · Cook Teenie TWO · N40512

Stevensville, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Stevensville, MI
Aircraft
Cook Teenie TWO
Tail Number
N40512
Operator
Robert F Gaiser
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA303

The pilot said that he was in cruise flight approximately 500 feet above the ground when the engine rpm began slowly decreasing. The pilot initiated a climb at full power, turned on the back-up battery, and applied carburetor heat. There was no change in engine rpm. The pilot planned to land on a road adjacent to a corn field. At the time, there were no people or cars in sight. While turning from base leg to final, 'the plane started stalling.' The pilot pushed the control stick forward to get the nose down. It was at that time that the engine lost all power. The pilot said that he was unable to get full control of the airplane back. The airplane impacted between the road and the corn field. Examination of the airplane's fuel system and engine revealed no evidence of fuel. No other anomalies with the airplane were revealed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 1998, at 1930 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cook Teenie Two, N40512, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during cruise flight the airplane's engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted in a corn field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight originated at Berrien Springs, Michigan, at 1910 edt. In his written statement, the pilot said that he was in cruise flight approximately 500 feet above the ground when the engine rpm began slowly decreasing. The pilot initiated a climb at full power, turned on the back-up battery, and applied carburetor heat. There was no change in engine rpm. The pilot said that he planned to land on a road adjacent to a corn field. At the time, there were no people or cars in sight. While turning from base leg to final, "the plane started stalling." The pilot pushed the control stick forward to get the nose down. It was at that time that the engine lost all power. The pilot said that he was unable to get full control of the airplane back. He set the airplane down between the road and the corn field. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at a nearby hangar. The airplane's nose wheel was broken off. One of the two wooden propeller blades was broken aft. The airplane's bottom cowling and bottom forward fuselage were crushed upward. The engine was bent upward at the mounts. The engine firewall was buckled forward. The airplane's right wing showed skin wrinkles. The remainder of the airplane was undamaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the airplane's 9 gallon fuel tank showed it void of fuel. Examination of the airplane's fuel system and engine revealed no evidence of fuel. A State Police officer, who responded to the accident, stated that there was no smell of fuel at the accident site or on the pilot. No other anomalies with the airplane were revealed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCook Teenie TWO
Tail NumberN40512
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert F Gaiser
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · 1600CC · Reciprocating · 54
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data