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

April 10, 1999 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5416S

Mora, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Mora, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5416S
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA125

The student pilot was performing a soft field takeoff on runway 35 when the accident occurred. He stated he was 99% sure that he applied 20 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. He then held the yoke back and applied full power. He reported he felt the nose lifting and he '...failed to keep it from going too high and felt the back end raise.' He stated the airplane got out of ground effect without enough airspeed to remain airborne. The airplane stalled/mushed into a wooded area off the left side of the runway. The student reported the local winds were from 010 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's improper soft field takeoff technique in that excessive back pressure was used which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. A factor associated with the accident was the student's lack of total experience.

Full Narrative

On April 10, 1999, at 0755 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N5416S, operated by Horizon Aviation, Mora, Minnesota, collided with trees following a loss of control while taking off from the Mora Municipal Airport. The student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated at the Mora Muncipal Airport shortly before the accident occurred. The student pilot reported that he had practiced four short field takeoffs on runway 35 (3,998' x 75', paved) just prior to the accident takeoff. He then decided to practice a soft field takeoff. He stated he is 99% sure that he applied 20 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. He then held the yoke back and applied full power. He reported he felt the nose lifting and he "...failed to keep it from going too high and felt the back end raise." He stated the airplane got out of ground effect without enough airspeed to remain airborne. He reported he held the airplane "...steady but I was losing altitude and heading towards a tree line to my left side." The airplane contacted trees in a wooded area off the left side of the runway. The student reported the local winds were from 010 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 CDT
Nearest AirportMora Municipal (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5416S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 10 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data