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 15, 2022 · Aviat Aircraft A-1A · N26HV

Yellow Pine, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 2022
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Yellow Pine, ID
Aircraft
Aviat Aircraft A-1A
Tail Number
N26HV
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR22FA304

A video of the accident flight showed the airplane departed runway 35 and became airborne within the first half of the runway. As the airplane reached mid-field, it made a climbing right turn over the trees and disappeared from the camera view. The airplane impacted terrain shortly thereafter. The sound of the engine running can be heard throughout the video. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weight and balance information showed that, at the time of departure, the airplane was likely about 229 lbs over its maximum gross weight. Additionally, although the loading and seating positions could not be verified, an estimated calculation placed the airplane’s center of gravity (CG) outside of the manufacturer’s tested/approved CG envelope. Flight track data retrieved from a personal electronic device (PED), showed that the airplane’s speed decreased to 45 knots during the takeoff climb. The airplane's increased weight would have resulted in an increased stall speed. Given the increased airplane weight and the slow airspeed during the takeoff climb, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the critical angle of attack, subsequent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 15, 2022, about 0630 mountain daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc., A-1A, N26HV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Yellow Pine, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness camping at Johnson Creek Airport (3U2), Yellow Pine, Idaho, reported that on the morning of the accident flight, he observed the accident airplane taxiing to runway 35. Due to the cool weather, he returned to his tent. He recalled hearing the airplane’s engine rpm rise, like the pilot was conducting a runup. The witness stated that he then heard the airplane take off, which was followed shortly after by a sound similar to a "door slamming shut". Between 1030 to 1045, he departed runway 35 and flew to Yellow Pine, before returning to and flying over 3U2. While overflying the north end of the airport, he observed the accident airplane in the creek near the departure end of runway 35. A witness provided video of the accident flight that showed the accident airplane departing from runway 35. The airplane became airborne within the first half of the runway, then about mid-field, the airplane made a climbing right turn over the trees and out of sight. The sound of the engine was heard throughout the video consistent with an engine at high rpm. A review of data retrieved from an onboard PED showed that at 0636:45 the accident airplane departed from runway 35, climbed to a GPS altitude of 5,067 ft mean sea level (msl), with an airspeed of about 60 kts (GPS speed) and entered a climbing turn to the northeast. The data showed that the airplane continued on a northeast heading, reaching a GPS altitude of about 5,193 ft msl, with an airspeed of about 47 kts. At 0637:11, the accident airplane made a climbing left turn to the northwest, at a GPS altitude of about 5,203 ft msl, with an airspeed of about 45 kts. The data showed that the airplane continued on a northwest heading, the airspeed slowed to about 36 kts, and the airplane descended to about 5,153 ft msl until contact was lost, as seen in figure 1. Figure 1: Google Earth overly of the final portion of the accident flight. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot held a private pilot certificate that was issued about 9 months before the accident flight. At the time of the accident, he had accumulated about 170 total hours of flight experience, of which about 160 were in the accident airplane make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONOn July 25, 2022, an Airglas Inc., LC18H cargo pod was installed, changing the airplane’s empty weight from 1286.5 to 1357.30. The addition of the cargo pod changed the airplane’s useful load from 603.5 lbs to 532.7 lbs. Weight and balance values were calculated for the accident flight using the airplane’s weight and balance records and the weights of the two occupants. The weight of the airplane at the time of departure from 3U2 was estimated to be about 229 lbs over the maximum gross weight assuming 40 gallons of fuel, reported or measured occupant weights, and baggage. The CG was calculated using the passenger and seat locations in the most favorable position and was found to be outside the manufacturer’s tested/approved CG envelope. According to the airplane’s flight manual, the stalling speeds for the airplane with 0° flaps, 0° bank, is 51 mph (~44 kts), with 0° flaps, 30° bank, is 55 mph (~47 kts). The stalling speeds for the airplane with 30° flaps, 0° bank, is 45 mph (~39 kts), with 30° flaps, 30° bank, is 48 mph (~41 kts). AIRPORT INFORMATIONOn July 25, 2022, an Airglas Inc., LC18H cargo pod was installed, changing the airplane’s empty weight from 1286.5 to 1357.30. The addition of the cargo pod changed the airplane’s useful load from 603.5 lbs to 532.7 lbs. Weight and balance values were calculated for the accident flight using the airplane’s weight and balance records and the weights of the two occupants. The weight of the airplane at the time of departure from 3U2 was estimated to be about 229 lbs over the maximum gross weight assuming 40 gallons of fuel, reported or measured occupant weights, and baggage. The CG was calculated using the passenger and seat locations in the most favorable position and was found to be outside the manufacturer’s tested/approved CG envelope. According to the airplane’s flight manual, the stalling speeds for the airplane with 0° flaps, 0° bank, is 51 mph (~44 kts), with 0° flaps, 30° bank, is 55 mph (~47 kts). The stalling speeds for the airplane with 30° flaps, 0° bank, is 45 mph (~39 kts), with 30° flaps, 30° bank, is 48 mph (~41 kts). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONExamination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain about 265 ft northeast of the departure end of runway 35. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude and came to rest upright in a creek, on a heading of about 116° magnetic, at an elevation of 4,892 ft msl. No visible ground scars or damaged vegetation were observed in the area near the wreckage. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site. Figure 2: View of the accident site diagram. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all primary flight controls. Numerous separations were noted within the flight control system with signatures consistent with overload separation or due to the recovery process. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) publication H-8083-25A, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, stated that an aerodynamic stall results from a rapid decrease in lift caused by the separation of airflow from the wing's surface brought on by exceeding the critical angle of attack (AOA). AOA is defined as the acute angle between the chord line of the airfoil and the direction of the relative wind. An aerodynamic stall can occur when the airplane flies too slowly, or when higher wing loads are imposed due to maneuvers such as pull-ups or banked flight. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATIONThe Valley County Coroner’s Office, McCall, Idaho, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory found no drugs of abuse.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 MDT
Nearest AirportJohnson Creek (0nm E)
Runway35
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAviat Aircraft A-1A
Tail NumberN26HV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1P · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class · Fatal
Crew 2Age 38 · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 F / 37 F
Altimeter30.16 inHg
Observation Time06:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data