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

August 8, 2005 · Cessna 182 · N6480A

Nabesna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Nabesna, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N6480A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05CA119

The private pilot was landing a nose wheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered, off airport site that was surrounded by brush. The pilot stated he inadvertently allowed the airplane to touchdown to the right of the site, and he applied full engine power to abort the landing. As the airplane began to climb, it abruptly pitched down, and the nose wheel struck the ground. The nose wheel subsequently collapsed, and the airplane nosed over on the gravel-covered site. The pilot noted that a postaccident inspection revealed a tree branch lodged in the accident airplane's right elevator. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing, which resulted in an on ground encounter with brush, and subsequent loss of control during an aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were high vegetation, and a jammed elevator control.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2005, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a nose wheel-equipped Cessna 182 airplane, N6480A, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing attempt at an off airport site, located about 10 miles southeast of Nabesna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Of the three people aboard, the private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the remaining passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 1220. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 9, the pilot reported that he was landing at a gravel-covered off airport site that was surrounded by brush. He said that he inadvertently allowed the airplane to touchdown to the right of the site, and he applied full engine power to abort the landing. The pilot said that as the airplane began to climb, it abruptly pitched down, and the nose wheel struck the ground. The nose wheel subsequently collapsed, and the airplane nosed over on the gravel-covered site. The pilot noted that a postaccident inspection revealed a tree branch lodged in the accident airplane's right elevator assembly. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN6480A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180°
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data