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 16, 2018 · Peet Charles Zenith CH 701 NO Series · N44CP

Jackson, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Jackson, WY
Aircraft
Peet Charles Zenith CH 701 NO Series (2011)
Tail Number
N44CP
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA178

The pilot reported that he had just finished rebuilding the airplane and was conducting a local, personal flight, which was the airplane’s first flight since an accident 5 years earlier. While returning to land on a grass strip and shortly after switching from the right to the left tank, the engine began to run roughly and “sputter.” The pilot added that the airplane was “high and fast” on the approach but that he chose to continue the landing due to the engine problem. Upon landing, the airplane bounced, the nosewheel hit the ground hard and collapsed, and the airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the airplane had an adequate amount of fuel onboard when the engine lost power. He added that the quick fuel disconnect on the left wing fuel tank was loose before the flight, so he reconnected the fitting and speculated that air might have entered the lines when he reconnected the fitting and led to the engine sputtering when he switched tanks. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s failure to maintain proper control of the airplane, which led to a hard, bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 2018, about 1400 mountain daylight time, a Zenith 701 airplane, N44CP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jackson, Wyoming. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had just finished rebuilding the airplane and that the accident flight was the first flight since an accident about 5 years earlier. While returning to land on a grass strip and shortly after switching from the right to the left fuel tank, the engine began to run roughly and “sputter.” The pilot reported that he did not attempt to switch back to the right tank because the airplane to too low and he was “just trying to get to the runway.” He added that the airplane was “high and fast” on the approach but that he chose to continue the landing due to the engine problem. Upon landing, the airplane bounced, the nosewheel hit the ground hard and collapsed, and the airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the airplane had an adequate amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident. He added that a fuel quick disconnect from the left wing fuel tank was loose before the flight, so he reconnected the fitting and speculated that air might have entered the fuel lines when he reconnected it or that the fuel may have been “bad” because the airplane had been sitting for 5 years.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 MDT
Nearest AirportN/A (0nm)
RunwayN/A
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPeet Charles Zenith CH 701 NO Series
Tail NumberN44CP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 85 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 39 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time09:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data