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 9, 1995 · Mooney M-20C · N2763W

Monogahela, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Monogahela, PA
Aircraft
Mooney M-20C
Tail Number
N2763W
Operator
Raymond F Schuler
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC95LA145

The Mooney M20C, N2763W, on a dual instructional flight, was inbound to the uncontrolled airport following the VOR final approach course of 119 degrees at 2,000 ft. The Piper PA-28, N7416R, had departed the airport, turned northwest, and climbed to 2,000 ft. The airplanes collided 2 miles northwest of the airport. One of the Mooney pilots described the collision as 'a shadow appeared on the right and crashing noise as the cabin ripped open.' The Piper pilot described the collision as a 'loud bang on the left side of the engine compartment and I saw cowl badly mangled.' The Mooney was not able to maintain flight and made a forced landing in an open field. The Piper pilot was able to continue flight and return to the departure airport. Examination of the Mooney revealed separation of the upper fuselage, top vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the Piper firewall revealed the Mooney's rudder balance weight was imbedded. No evasive action was taken by the pilots prior to the collision.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOTS OF THE MONNEY M20C, N2763W, AND THE PIPER PA-28, N7416R, TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 1995, at 1255 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M- 20C, N2763W, and a Piper PA-28-140, N7416R, collided in flight, about 2 miles northwest of the Rostraver Airport, Monongahela, Pennsylvania. The two commercial pilots in N2763W received serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot in N7416R was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and both flights had departed from the Rostraver Airport within the preceding 25 minutes. No flight plans had been filed for the local flights, which were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight instructor was providing dual instruction to the new owner of N2763W. After a 1 hour flight, they landed at Rostraver, and then departed. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot of N2763W stated: It was decided to start the second flight with a visual (no hood) flight of the AGC VOR A approach to Rostraver airport...At the five mile fix commencing descent to minimum I broadcast on 122.8, Rostraver Unicom, my position and intentions...level off at 2,000 [feet], pattern altitude for Rostraver and commenced inbound. At 3 or 4 miles out my instructor made a sound and moved towards me with his head down, as a shadow appeared on the right and crashing noise as the cabin ripped open. Aircraft control with high engine power was minimal, combined with limited sight in my left eye, made continued flight to Rostraver Airport not an option. An emergency landing was made.... The pilot of N7416R had completed 2 full stop landings on runway 25 at the Rostraver Airport , and then departed on his third takeoff. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: ...[I] Made third takeoff and after exiting pattern with 45 turn toward Donora. ...Fly at 2,000 [feet] MSL up toward Monongahela turned at about new eagle toward Elizabeth. ...I experienced loud bang on left side of engine compartment and saw cowl badly mangled...After aircraft kept flying and no oil smell, with tac [tachometer] showing eng. [engine] still running called several MayDays on 122.8 as I proceeded to Rostraver, now about 1 or 2 miles from that point. Saw nothing prior, at , or after the loud "bang." ...Arriving at Rostraver at 2,000 [feet] MSL, pattern altitude...I landed on Rwy 7, not knowing gear missing.... According to a written report from an FAA Airworthiness Inspector: ...the mooney received damage to the top of the fuselage from the windshield to the bulkhead aft of the baggage door. It also had damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder was missing. It had tire marks on top of the right horizontal stabilizer. The Piper had damage to the left cowling and the left side of the firewall, the nose and right landing gear were missing. The weather at the Allegheny County Airport, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, located 8 miles northwest of the accident site, was clear skys, visibility 15 miles.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:55 EDT
Nearest AirportRostraver (2nm WNW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M-20C
Tail NumberN2763W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRaymond F Schuler
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180 | Lycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 72 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data