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, 1995 · Bellanca 17-30A · N8872V

Conroe, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Conroe, TX
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-30A
Tail Number
N8872V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW95LA208

A Bellanca 17-30A was approaching to land on runway (RWY) 19 at an uncontrolled airport, as a Piper PA-32-300 was taking off on RWY 14. The RWY centerlines intersected about 1100 feet from the approach end of RWY 14 (about 510 feet from a displaced threshold on RWY 14). The approach end of RWY 19 was at the intersection. Subsequently, the two airplanes converged and collided at the intersection. During impact, the right main landing gear of the Bellanca collided with the windshield and engine cowling of the Piper. Both airplanes were equipped with two way radios. Both pilots reported that they announced their intentions on the UNICOM freq (122.95 MHz); although the UNICOM operator, who had just come on duty, did not recall hearing either pilot announce intentions before the accident. The VHF radio of the departing Piper was found tuned to 122.7 MHz; however, the pilot of a third airplane reported that he heard the Piper pilot make an announcement on the UNICOM freq that he was taking off on runway 14. No corroborating information was obtained to verify that the Bellanca pilot had communicated his intentions on the UNICOM freq. According to the Piper pilot, the Bellanca pilot did not make a radio call as he was approaching the airport. At the time of the accident, RWY 14 was reported to be in use. The wind was reported to be from 120 degrees at 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE BELLANCA PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATE HIS INTENTIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 1995, at 1355 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17- 30A, N8872V, collided with N7797C, a Piper PA-32-300, near Conroe, Texas. N8872V was destroyed by post impact fire, while N7797C sustained substantial damage. The private pilot of N8872V sustained serious injuries while the commercial pilot flying N7797C was uninjured. Neither airplane was carrying passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flights. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the Bellanca was landing on Runway 19, while the Piper was on takeoff roll from Runway 14 at the Montgomery County Municipal Airport, near Conroe, Texas. The right main landing gear from the landing Bellanca struck the windshield and engine cowling on the departing Piper. The UNICOM was reported to be operational on 122.95 at the time of the accident, and both airplanes were equipped with two-way radio communications. The pilot of the landing airplane stated in the enclosed pilot/operator report that he announced his intentions while entering the pattern, and followed another airplane landing on Runway 19. The departing pilot stated that he stated his intentions on 122.95 prior to taking the active runway. Post examination of the airplane revealed that his radio was tuned to 122.7. The UNICOM operator reported that she did not hear either the landing or the departing aircraft announce their intentions on the radio. The airport operator reported that Runway 14-32 is the primary runway at the Montgomery County Airport and was reported to be in use at the time of the accident. The winds at nearby Houston Intercontinental (IAH) airport were reported from 120 degrees at 8 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:55 CDT
Nearest AirportMontgomery County (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length3984 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 17-30A
Tail NumberN8872V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-K · Reciprocating · 300 | Lycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 8 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data