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 2, 1998 · Koskella LONG EZ · N5159P

Cascade, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cascade, ID
Aircraft
Koskella LONG EZ
Tail Number
N5159P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA173

The pilot, a Navy test pilot with approximately 1500 hours total flight time in the Long EZ, reported that on short final the aircraft began to settle rapidly and touched down hard approximately 250 feet short of the threshold. He indicated that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft's power plant or systems. However, in his written report, he stated that on short final he 'scanned the instrument panel and noticed the airspeed read 100 mph. (This is way too high to stop a Long EZ on a 4000' runway.) Aircraft attitude seemed normal, approach was at appropriate altitude/lineup, so I reduced power and deployed the speed brake. In my aircraft, the speed brake blows closed at 95 mph from aerodynamic forces-it stayed out. As I mentally started processing the fact that the speed brake did not blow back, I sensed an increase in the rate of descent. I retracted the speed brake, added full power, and eased the nose up-touching down 250' short of the runway.' The pilot also reported that he believed the 'airspeed indicator stuck at 100 mph during final approach.' He stated that 'I'm not sure this could have reasonably been foreseen or prevented; higher approach speed would have prevented the settle that developed on short final, but I would have had to instantly recognize the airspeed indicator error. By the time I recognized an excess rate of descent and initiated a wave-off, it was too late to avoid touching down.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed on final approach. Factors include inadequate remedial action and erroneous airspeed indications.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 1998, approximately 0810 mountain daylight time, a Long EZ, N5159P, built and being flown by a commercial pilot, incurred substantial damage when the aircraft touched down short of runway 30 at the Cascade airport, Cascade, Idaho. Federal Aviation Administration personnel, who were initially notified by the airport, reported that wing spar damage was incurred, and that all three landing gear had collapsed. The pilot and his passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91 and originated from Cascade approximately 0740 on the morning of the accident. Winds at McCall, Idaho, located 24 nautical miles north, were reported as calm at 0750. The pilot, a Navy test pilot with approximately 1500 hours total flight time in the Long EZ, reported that on short final the aircraft began to settle rapidly and touched down hard approximately 250 feet short of the threshold. He indicated that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft's power plant or systems. However, in his written report, he stated that on short final he "scanned the instrument panel and noticed the airspeed read 100 mph. (This is way too high to stop a Long EZ on a 4000' runway.) Aircraft attitude seemed normal, approach was at appropriate altitude/lineup, so I reduced power and deployed the speed brake. In my aircraft, the speed brake blows closed at 95 mph from aerodynamic forces - it stayed out. As I mentally started processing the fact that the speed brake did not blow back, I sensed an increase in the rate of descent. I retracted the speed brake, added full power, and eased the nose up - touching down 250' short of the runway." The pilot went on to add that the cause of the accident was "slow/failure to recognize and respond to airspeed reading high at critical point in landing." The pilot also reported that he believed the "airspeed indicator stuck at 100 mph during final approach." He stated that "I'm not sure this could have reasonably been foreseen or prevented; higher approach speed would have prevented the settle that developed on short final, but I would have had to instantly recognize the airspeed indicator error. By the time I recognized an excess rate of descent and initiated a wave-off, it was too late to avoid touching down."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 MDT
Nearest AirportCASCADE (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKoskella LONG EZ
Tail NumberN5159P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data