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 24, 2016 · Piper PA 18-150 · N4234Z

Cozad, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Cozad, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA 18-150 (1966)
Tail Number
N4234Z
Operator
Gothenburg Flying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA193

The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial application flight about 25 ft above ground level when the airplane suddenly made an uncommanded descent and impacted a wheat field. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained damage to both wings, wing struts, fuselage, and tail surfaces. Although the pilot noted some discrepancies with the airplane after it was rebuilt, examination of the wreckage, including the horizontal jackscrew assembly, did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

An in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 2016, about 1010 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4234Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Cozad, Nebraska. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was operated by Gothenburg Flying Service, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed and no flight plan had not been filed. The local flight departed Fiese Airstrip (2NE5), Gothenburg, Nebraska, about 1000. The pilot said he had just finished purging the spray booms of air and rinsate and was flying 25 feet above the ground when the airplane suddenly made an uncommand descent. The right wing struck the flat wheat field and the airplane skidded to a stop, coming to rest inverted about 120 feet from the initial point of impact. There was substantial damage to both wings, wing struts, fuselage, and tail surfaces. The airplane had recently been rebuilt. The pilot/owner noted multiple discrepancies with the airplane following delivery. One discrepancy was that the jackscrew and drive pulley assembly for the horizontal stabilizer were not replaced as he had requested. He noted that the jackscrew assembly was worn and there was excessive slack in the drive cable. Pitch trim had to be constantly adjusted as a result. The builder had told the pilot that the assembly had been "tightened up." The pilot stated that this was not possible as the screw was made of steel and the housing was made of aluminum. The FAA conducted examinations of the airplane following the accident and noted play in the jackscrew assembly, but determined the slack was insufficient to cause the screw to slip. No other mechanical issues were found with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 CDT
Nearest AirportFiese Airstrip (8nm ENE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 18-150
Tail NumberN4234Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGothenburg Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time15:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data