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

July 22, 1995 · Pzl-Mielec M-18A · N80225

Carrington, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Carrington, ND
Aircraft
Pzl-Mielec M-18A
Tail Number
N80225
Operator
James L Deterding
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI95LA232

The airplane was loaded to a calculated gross weight of 10,653 for an aerial application flight. The maximum certified gross weight for the plane was 10,360 pounds, but the airplane was authorized to exceed that weight for this mission. The pilot prepared to takeoff on runway 3, since runway 31 (a longer runway) was under construction. He reported that the engine run-up was normal. He said that during takeoff, the airplane lifted off and seemed to be flying as always; however, it then settled back to the ground about 321 feet from the departure end of the runway. The airplane then rolled about 320 feet before hitting a ditch and a gravel truck. The truck driver received serious injuries. The pilot reported that there were two rows of trees (about 40 feet in height) situated north and south, just to the east of the airport. He said the air was very unstable due to the turbulence created by the northwest wind coming off the trees. The pilot of another airplane, who had been spraying a field nearby, reported that the winds were shifting from the northwest to the southwest at about the same time as the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation. Factors relating to the accident were: the airplane's excessive gross weight, and the unfavorable wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 1995, at about 1300, central daylight time, a PZL Mielec M-18A, N80225, sustained substantial damage while attempting to takeoff from Carrington, North Dakota. The aerial sprayer settled to the ground after takeoff and travelled about 312 feet before impacting a gravel truck. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries to himself. The driver of the truck received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was departing Carrington, North Dakota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the aircraft was loaded by the ground crew with about 1/2 tank of fuel (95 gallons) and 450 gallons of water. He taxied to the south end of runway 3 and performed the runnup checks. He reported that he put in 40 inches of manifold pressure and 2300 RPM, and that the engine sounded okay. He reported that during takeoff the airplane broke ground and it seemed to be flying as always. The pilot reported that the airplane settled back down at about 321 feet from the end of the runway. He reported that the airplane traveled about 320 feet before impacting a gravel truck that was stopped at the intersection of a gravel road and the highway that ran east and west. Runway 3 is 2,255 feet long. Runway 31 was under construction at the time so it could not be utilized. The certified maximum gross weight of the airplane was 10,360 pounds. The calculated weight of the airplane at takeoff was about 10,653 pounds. However, under the FAA regulations governing the operation of aircraft under CAR 8 (Civil Air Regulations) at weights exceeding certified maximum weight, the airplane was authorized to be flown over its maximum gross weight. (See attachments) The pilot reported that the there were two rows of trees (about 40 feet in height) situated north and south just to the east of the airport. The pilot reported that the air was very unstable due to the turbulence created by the northwest wind coming off the trees. A pilot who had been spraying a field nearby reported that the winds had been shifting from the northwest to the southwest about the same time of the accident. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the airplane never climbed out of ground effect but settled and touched down 321 feet from the end of the runway. He reported that the airplane rolled about 312 feet and hit a ditch along side of the airport road and impacted a gravel truck. The pilot had reported no mechanical problems during takeoff.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportCarrington Municipal (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length2255 ft
Runway Width43 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPzl-Mielec M-18A
Tail NumberN80225
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames L Deterding
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl-Kalisz · KAD-315008 · Reciprocating · 962
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data