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 21, 2018 · Ryan Navion NO Series · N4356K

Jasper, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Jasper, AL
Aircraft
Ryan Navion NO Series (1948)
Tail Number
N4356K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA144

Before takeoff for the practice formation flight of four airplanes, the lead pilot briefed all the pilots on instructions for the formation changes. The flight began as a finger-four, heavy-left formation with a separation between the airplanes of about 80 ft. As the airplanes neared their destination, the lead pilot called for the flight to maneuver to "parade," and the airplanes closed the separation between them to about 40 ft. The lead pilot then called for the flight to change to an echelon-right formation. The two pilots in the trail airplanes left of the lead airplane began their maneuver to the right to position themselves behind the airplane that was already in position on the right side of the lead airplane. During this maneuver, the pilot in the airplane opposite the right-side airplane lost sight of that airplane due to sun glare, and they subsequently collided. Both airplanes were able to land at the destination airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

The other pilot's failure to maintain clearance from another airplane in the formation flight due to sun glare.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2018, about 1230 central daylight time, a white Ryan Navion N4356K, and a green North American Navion, N8995H, collided in midair near the Walker County Airport-Bevill Field (JFX), Jasper, Alabama. The white Navion's airline transport pilot and passenger were uninjured. The green Navion's private pilot was uninjured. The white Navion sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The green Navion sustained minor damage to the propeller and the underside of the left wing. Both airplanes were privately owned and operated by the pilots as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal formation flight of four airplanes. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plans were filed by either pilot. The formation flight originated from Abernathy Field Airport (GZS) Pulaski, Tennessee, about 1130 destined for JFX. Both airplanes were part of a formation flight of four airplanes practicing for an upcoming airshow. All the pilots in the formation had been briefed by the lead pilot prior to takeoff and included instructions for formation changes. Upon arrival to the destination airport, the flight was in a finger-four, heavy left formation, see figure 1a. The lead airplane was in the #1 position. The green Navion was in the #2 position. The white Navion was in the #3 position and the last airplane was in the #4 position. The white Navion's pilot reported that when they were about five miles north of JFX, with "two airplanes" length separation of approximately 80 ft, the lead pilot called for the flight to maneuver to "parade" and the flight closed separation to approximately 40 ft. The lead pilot then called for the flight to change to an echelon right formation, see figure 1b. The pilot of the white Navion stated that he initiated a right bank and descended and decelerated to pass below and behind the green Navion, however due to sun glare he lost sight of the green Navion. He asked his passenger if she could see the green Navion. She told him it was right above them. He immediately pushed the nose down when the collision occurred. The pilot in the #4 position stated it initially appeared the white Navion was not low enough to pass underneath the green Navion. He thought to transmit a warning to the pilot of the white Navion but changed his mind when he saw the airplane had clearance. He further stated just as the white Navion passed underneath the green Navion, the white Navion climbed into the green Navion. After the collision, all four airplanes continued to JFX and landed without further incident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportWalker County Airport-Bevill F (5nm N)
Runway09
Runway Length5004 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRyan Navion NO Series
Tail NumberN4356K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO 520 · Reciprocating · 285 | Continental · E185 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 63 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 71 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time17:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data