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

June 25, 1998 · Piper PA-36-300 · N3760E

Mobridge, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 25, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mobridge, SD
Aircraft
Piper PA-36-300
Tail Number
N3760E
Operator
Mott Aerial Spray
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA219

The pilot was spraying a field of wheat and was working under non-active power lines going to an abandoned farmstead. During one of the passes the airplane hit one of the wires separating the vertical stabilizer and rudder from the aircraft. The pilot stated that the directional control was lost, but the aircraft continued to fly, wings level, in a skidding turn to the right. Due to an approaching tree line the pilot reduced the engine power and the aircraft impacted level terrain with the wings level. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid to the left, folding the left main gear under the wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the power lines, and the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Full Narrative

On June 25, 1998, at 1345 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N3760E, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a power line, loss control and impacted the terrain near Mobridge, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was being operated by Mott Aerial Spray, Mobridge, South Dakota. The flight originated at the Mobridge Municipal Airport, near Mobridge, South Dakota, at 1315. According to the pilot's written statement, he was spraying a field of wheat and was working under non-active power lines going to an abandoned farmstead. During one of the passes under the power lines the airplane hit one of the wires separating the vertical stabilizer from the aircraft along with the rudder. The pilot stated that the directional control was lost, but the aircraft continued to fly, wings level, in a skidding turn to the right. Due to an approaching tree line the pilot reduced the engine power and the aircraft impacted level terrain with the wings level. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid to the left, folding the left main gear under the wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-36-300
Tail NumberN3760E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMott Aerial Spray
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data