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

October 12, 1996 · Piper PA-18-135 · N9967Q

Boulder, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N9967Q
Operator
Dakota Ridge Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA017

The pilot landed in a 3-point attitude on runway 8 and allowed the wind (estimated to vary between 270 and 300 degrees at 6 to 9 knots) to get underneath the upwind wing. He said the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline, and he corrected with opposite aileron and rudder 'somewhat excessively.' As the airplane returned to the runway centerline, he applied left rudder, again 'somewhat excessively.' The pilot said the airplane veered to the left and he applied 'right rudder aggressively.' The airplane swerved to the right. Side loads were imposed, the left tire separated from the wheel rim, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot indicated he had logged 4 hours in the airplane in the previous 90 days. Three of the four hours were with an instructor. The accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane as pilot-in-command.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper use of rudder. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane.

Full Narrative

On October 12, 1996, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N9967Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Boulder, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Boulder, Colorado, on October 12, 1996, 1330. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident report, the pilot had been practicing touch and go landings on runway 08 for about an hour. On his last landing, he touched down in a 3-point attitude. He allowed the wind (estimated to vary between 270 and 300 degrees at 6 to 9 knots) to get underneath the upwind wing. The pilot said the airplane drifted left of runway centerline, and he corrected with opposite aileron and rudder "somewhat excessively." As the airplane returned to runway centerline he applied left rudder, again "somewhat excessively." The airplane veered to the left. To avoid a parallel glider landing strip, the pilot applied "right rudder aggressively." The airplane swerved to the right. Side loads caused the left tire to separate from the wheel rim and "induce a skidding 180 degree turn to the right." The airplane departed the right side of the runway tail first. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane pivoted around on its wing tip. In his accident report, the pilot indicated he had logged 4 hours in the Piper PA-18-135 in the previous 90 days. Three of the 4 hours were with an instructor. The accident flight was his first flight in the airplane as pilot in command.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MDT
Nearest AirportBoulder Municipal (0nm)
Runway8R
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN9967Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDakota Ridge Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind9 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data