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 19, 2014 · Cessna 180B · N180GK

Piscataquis County, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 2014
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Piscataquis County, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 180B (1959)
Tail Number
N180GK
Operator
Norris Gary L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA14LA446

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering the float airplane about 2,500 ft above ground level, he heard a "slight squeal" coming from the engine before it started to sputter. After the airplane had descended to about 1,500 ft, the engine and propeller "completely stopped." The pilot determined that the airplane would not reach a nearby lake and chose an unpaved road in the woods for the forced landing. The right wing struck a tree about 60 ft above the ground, and the airplane then impacted the road, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft could be rotated freely by hand, and removal of the oil sump revealed piston material and the No. 3 exhaust valve head, which was fractured at the stem below the head. Disassembly of the engine revealed normal wear and appearance on all of the cylinders except for the No. 3 cylinder, piston, and exhaust valve. Metallurgical examination of the No. 3 exhaust valve revealed that the fracture had initiated at the outer surface of the valve stem and that the valve had fractured due to fatigue at the transition of the stem to the valve.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue fracture of the No. 3 exhaust valve, which initiated at the outer surface of the valve stem and resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power over terrain unsuitable for landing.

Full Narrative

On September 19, 2014, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180B, N180GK, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power, while maneuvering near Piscataquis County, Maine. The private pilot/owner and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Mud Pond, Maine about 1530. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.In a telephone conversation with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, the pilot said that he was maneuvering about 2,500 feet north of Lake Ross, Maine when he heard a "slight squeal" from the engine before it started to sputter. About 1,500 feet during the subsequent descent, the engine and propeller "completely stopped." The pilot determined the airplane would not reach Lake Ross, and selected an unpaved road in the woods for the forced landing. The right wing struck a tree about 60 feet above the ground, and the airplane impacted the road, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued May 27, 2014. The pilot reported 1,200 total hours of flight experience, of which 950 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane was manufactured in 1959, and its most recent annual inspection was completed May 24, 2013, at 4,013 total aircraft hours. A Continental O-470K33 remanufactured engine was installed in the airplane on August 20, 2005 and the engine had accrued 605 hours since that date. The wreckage was recovered to a maintenance facility where a cursory examination of the engine was performed. There was no external damage, but a borescope examination of the No. 3 cylinder revealed that the exhaust valve was fractured at the stem and the top of the No. 3 piston was damaged. The engine was retained for further examination. On October 27, 2014, the engine was examined under the supervision of an FAA aviation safety inspector at the manufacturer's facility in Mobile, Alabama. The crankshaft "freely" rotated by hand, and removal of the oil sump revealed "piston material" and what was identified as the No. 3 exhaust valve head, which was fractured at the stem below the head. Disassembly of the engine revealed normal wear and appearance on all cylinders with the exception of the No. 3 cylinder, piston, and exhaust valve. The magnetos were tested, and both produced spark at all terminal leads. The fractured exhaust valve head, stem, and rotocoil were submitted to the manufacturer's engineering department for metallurgical examination. The report prepared by the manufacturer stated that the valve fractured at the transition of the stem to the valve, also exhibited post separation damage. The fracture initiated at the outer surface of the valve stem and grew in fatigue. An NTSB metallurgist reviewed the reports generated by these exams, and concurred with their findings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180B
Tail NumberN180GK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorris Gary L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 0
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 45 C
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data