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

April 7, 1998 · Cessna P206B · N4728F

Riverton, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Riverton, WY
Aircraft
Cessna P206B
Tail Number
N4728F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW98LA176

The pilot obtained a weather briefing before departing on a flight from Rock Springs, WY, to Broadus, MT. He was told that Gillette, WY, and Billings, MT, were reporting instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and that no weather was available for Riverton, WY. Since visual meteorological conditons (VMC) prevailed at Rock Springs, he made a decision to takeoff and assess the weather en route. While in cruise flight, the aircraft penetrated a line of light drizzle and snow showers. While attempting to reverse direction, the airplane collided with terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

continued flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude from terrain, while manuevering to reverse direction. Related factors were: the adverse weather conditions, mountainous terrain, and the pilot's lack of instrument experience.

Full Narrative

On April 7, 1998, approximately 1155 mountain daylight time, a Cessna P206B, N4728F, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while maneuvering to reverse direction 19 miles southeast of Riverton, Wyoming. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, one passenger sustained minor injuries, and two passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Rock Springs, Wyoming, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. The following is based on the accident report submitted by the pilot. He and his passengers had flown from Utah and landed at Rock Springs, Wyoming. He obtained a weather briefing and was told that Gillette, Wyoming, and Billings, Montana, were reporting instrument meteorological conditions, and no weather was available for Riverton, Wyoming. Since visual meteorological conditions prevailed at Rock Springs, he made the decision to proceed and assess the weather en route. While in cruise flight, the aircraft penetrated a line of light drizzle and snow showers. The pilot noticed "what appeared to be a limitation to forward visibility" ahead of him, but due to the flat light (sic) conditions, he underestimated his distance from the terrain. As a result, he did not slow the airplane down from cruise speed in enough time, and subsequently lost visual references for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. After he had regained visual conditions, he attempted to slow the aircraft down and turn 180 degrees, following a return course on his Global Positioning System. As he established himself on the course, he noticed a hill in front of their path and began to turn away from it to the left. In an attempt to shorten his turn, he added flaps. The left lower wing struck a rise in the terrain, and the airplane impacted the ground. In his accident report, the pilot said that there was 1 mile visibility, a broken ceiling between 500 to 1,000 feet, and moderate snow showers. The left wing was torn off, and there was damage to the engine, the right wing, the nacelle, landing gear, and fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P206B
Tail NumberN4728F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · I0-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data