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

May 25, 1999 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164B · N6524K

Buxton, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buxton, ND
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N6524K
Operator
Central Valley Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA162

The pilot said the engine began to run rough during cruise. Then the engine blew smoke and oil and the windshield became covered with oil. The pilot turned the airplane towards the airport. On the approach to runway 09, the pilot had no visibility through the oil and the airplane had run off a road leading to the runway's centerline and an embankment in the safety area before the approach end of runway 09 during his forced landing. The airplane came to rest inverted next to the embankment. The number one cylinder head was found separated from its cylinder and was inspected. The inspection revealed no indications of preexisting cracks in the cylinder head. The separation occurred in the combustion dome between the cylinder head and the screw on cylinder barrel. The cylinder head revealed marks and dents consistent with piston ring or piston crown contact.

NTSB Probable Cause

the number one cylinder's separation, the pilot's visual lookout not possible through the oil given off by the number one cylinder, and the embankment. A factor in the accident was the oil.

Full Narrative

On May 25, 1999, at 1830 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6524K, piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing attempt on runway 09 (2,000 feet by 20 feet, asphalt) at Central Valley Aviation Airport, near Buxton, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot reported no injuries. No flight plan was on file. The local flight originated from Central Valley Aviation Airport at 1815. In his written statement, the pilot said that the engine began to run rough during a cruise segment between the fields he was spraying. He stated that the engine blew smoke and oil and that the windshield became covered with oil. He stated he turned the airplane towards Central Valley Aviation Airport. He said that on his approach to runway 09, he had no visibility through the oil during his forced landing. He stated that the airplane touched down prior to the runway on a road leading to and aligned with the centerline of runway 09. He said that the airplane had run off that road and a bridge embankment in the safety area before the approach end of runway 09. The airplane came to rest inverted next to the embankment. The pilot reported that the airplane's last inspection was an annual inspection on May 1, 1999. He said that the time since last overhaul on the engine was 1,103 hours and the time since last inspection was 50 hours. The number one cylinder head was found separated from its cylinder and was inspected by the National Transportation Safety Board's materials laboratory. The inspection revealed no indications of preexisting cracks in the cylinder head. The separation occurred in the combustion dome between the cylinder head and the screw on cylinder barrel. The cylinder head revealed marks and dents consistent with piston ring or piston crown contact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportCentral Valley Aviation (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN6524K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCentral Valley Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data