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 26, 1994 · Robert Eldon Idler TIERRA-2 · N6161Q

Prole, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Prole, IA
Aircraft
Robert Eldon Idler TIERRA-2
Tail Number
N6161Q
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI94LA299

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE TWO-SEAT REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED THE GUST FRONT FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM WHICH WAS LOCATED 7 TO 15 MILES AWAY. THE ULTRALIGHT ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT DESCENDING BANK, WHICH THE PILOT COULD COULD NOT ARREST WITH FULL OPPOSITE AILERON INPUT. THE ULTRALIGHT IMPACTED TREES AND WAS DESTROYED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the airplane's encounter with the outflow (gust front) from an approaching thunderstorm. Factors were the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the gust front location, and the inability of the airplanes flight control system to compensate for the rolling moment.

Full Narrative

On August 25, 1994, at 1915 hours central daylight time, a Tierra-2, 2 seat registered ultralight aircraft, N6161Q, operated by Robert Idler of West Des Moines, Iowa, impacted wooded, hilly terrain 8 miles southwest of Des Moines, Iowa, and was destroyed. The Airline Transport rated pilot and passenger received minor injuries. No fire occurred. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, originated from Chandler Field on the Gene Wilson Farm in rural Prole, Iowa, at 1900 central daylight time. The pilot reported that he took off in clear weather and was overrun by the gust front of an approaching thunderstorm which was located between 7 and 15 miles away. The aircraft entered an uncommanded right descending turn, which the pilot reported he was unable to counter with full left aileron input. He also reported that the engine operated normally until the aircraft impacted trees.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 CDT
Nearest AirportChandler Field (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobert Eldon Idler TIERRA-2
Tail NumberN6161Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data