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, 1999 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-CD · N3859H

Wahoo, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wahoo, NE
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-CD
Tail Number
N3859H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA236

The airplane sat idle for a two months prior to the accident. The pilot reported the battery had enough power to rotate the propeller through only one rotation when he attempted to start the engine. He exited the airplane to turn the propeller in an attempt to '...get the engine at the top of its compression stroke.' The pilot reported he turned off the master switch, but failed to turn off the ignition switch prior to moving the propeller. He moved the propeller one-half of a turn and the engine started. The airplane traveled down a taxiway where it contacted a hangar becoming imbedded in the hangar.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper starting technique which resulted in the inadvertent starting of the engine, with no one in the airplane.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 1999, at 1400 central daylight time, an Engineering & Research 415-CD, N3895H, collided with a hangar when it inadvertently started as the pilot was pulling the propeller through, at the Wahoo Municipal Airport, Wahoo, Nebraska. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The flight was to have originated shortly after the accident. The pilot stated he was picking up his airplane after having had maintenance performed on it two months prior to this accident. He reported when he attempted to start the airplane, the battery only had enough power to rotate the propeller through one rotation. He reported he exited the airplane and was going to turn the propeller to "...get the engine at the top of its compression stroke." He reported he had done this in the past and upon using the starter again, "...the prop would have enough momentum to swing into a second rotation which was usually enough to start the engine." The pilot reported he turned off the master switch, but failed to turn off the ignition switch prior to moving the propeller. He reported he moved the propeller one- half of a turn and the engine started. The airplane traveled down a taxiway where it contacted a hangar. He reported that the impact left the airplane imbedded in the hangar door up to the wing spar. The pilot reported the accident could have been prevented had he "...[been] absolutely sure all switches [were in] the 'off' position prior to any attempt to hand-turn the prop. Better still, don't attempt to hand turn the prop without someone at the controls."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWahoo Municipal (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415-CD
Tail NumberN3859H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-75-12F · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data