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

February 9, 1988 · Gribosh Long-Ez · N814EZ

Perkasie, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Perkasie, PA
Aircraft
Gribosh Long-Ez
Tail Number
N814EZ
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88DHA02

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED ON ITS SECOND TEST FLIGHT AFTER MANUFACTURE. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE 'MAKING POWER CHANGES' AND 'SURGING' WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS MANEUVERING AT 30 TO 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ALSO, THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. A POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ONLY TRACES OF FUEL, WHILE THE RIGHT TANK HELD AN ESTIMATED 8 TO 9 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS DISCOVERED TO BE 'JAMMED' IN A POSITION BETWEEN THE LEFT & RIGHT DETENTS; INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE TO LOOSEN THE SELECTOR, BUT IT REQUIRED 'EXCESSIVE FORCE AND TWO HANDS.' THE PILOT WAS FOUND ABOUT 9 FEET FROM THE WRECKAGE; BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS WERE UNBUCKLED. INVESTIGATORS NOTED THAT THE PILOT COULD NOT REACH THE FUEL SELECTOR WITH THE SHOULDER HARNESS SECURED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE.

Full Narrative

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED ON ITS SECOND TEST FLIGHT AFTER MANUFACTURE. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE 'MAKING POWER CHANGES' AND 'SURGING' WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS MANEUVERING AT 30 TO 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ALSO, THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. A POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ONLY TRACES OF FUEL, WHILE THE RIGHT TANK HELD AN ESTIMATED 8 TO 9 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS DISCOVERED TO BE 'JAMMED' IN A POSITION BETWEEN THE LEFT & RIGHT DETENTS; INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE TO LOOSEN THE SELECTOR, BUT IT REQUIRED 'EXCESSIVE FORCE AND TWO HANDS.' THE PILOT WAS FOUND ABOUT 9 FEET FROM THE WRECKAGE; BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS WERE UNBUCKLED. INVESTIGATORS NOTED THAT THE PILOT COULD NOT REACH THE FUEL SELECTOR WITH THE SHOULDER HARNESS SECURED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 EST
Nearest AirportPennridge (0nm N)
Runway8
Runway Length4265 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGribosh Long-Ez
Tail NumberN814EZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data