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Casualties unknown

Piper PA-18 accident at Ashland, NE, 12 Jan 1991 (N2115A)

Ashland, NE, US

On January 12, 1991, a Piper PA-18 (registration N2115A) operated by Edward L. Base was involved in an aviation accident near Ashland, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW PASS AND OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW PASS AND OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WITNESSES SAID THAT THEY OBSERVED TWO AIRCRAFT FLYING ABOUT 3 FEET OVER THE FROZEN, SNOW COVERED RIVER. ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT SKIMMED THE SNOW COVERED SURFACE WITH ITS MAIN GEAR, THEN NOSED OVER. THE ACFT LEFT TRACKS IN THE SNOW, ABOUT 360 FEET PRIOR TO THE NOSE OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FUEL SHORTAGE.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16287. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.