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 26, 1992 · Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 Aerostar 6 · N601DE

Prescott, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Prescott, AZ
Aircraft
Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N601DE
Operator
Robert C Reid
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA263

BFR FLT, THE OWNER/PLT RCVD A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE, ALLOWING HIM TO MAKE A FERRY FLT FM COLORADO TO CALIFORNIA FOR MAINT. A COND FOR THE FAA'S ISSUANCE OF THE PERMIT WAS THAT AN A & P MECHANIC MUST CERTIFY THE ACFT WAS 'SAFE FOR THE FLIGHT.' THE PLT WAS AN A & P MECHANIC & PROVIDED THE REQUISITE CERTIFICATION. AN ACDNT OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF FM AN EN ROUTE STOP. A WITNESS TO THE TAKEOFF RPRTD THE ACFT USED 5500 FT OF RWY BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB HIGHER THAN 200 FT AGL BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ROUGH TRRN ABOUT 2 MI FM THE ARPT. AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 7760 FT. PERSONNEL, WHO RESPONDED TO THE CRASH SITE, OBSERVED THAT DUCT TAPE HAD BEEN USED TO SECURE AN ANGLE IRON ONTO A LANDING GEAR LEG (FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A STIFF LEG COND). DUCT TAPE HAD ALSO BEEN USED ON THE DETERIORATED WING TIPS (TO KEEP THEM STREAMLINED). TWO HORNET NESTS WERE FND IN AIRFRAME AIR INLETS. THE PLT RPRTD THAT NO MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE AIRPLANE'S FAILURE TO ACHIEVE AN ADEQUATE RATE OF CLIMB BECAUSE OF DEGRADED AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE AND THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITION.

Full Narrative

BFR FLT, THE OWNER/PLT RCVD A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE, ALLOWING HIM TO MAKE A FERRY FLT FM COLORADO TO CALIFORNIA FOR MAINT. A COND FOR THE FAA'S ISSUANCE OF THE PERMIT WAS THAT AN A & P MECHANIC MUST CERTIFY THE ACFT WAS 'SAFE FOR THE FLIGHT.' THE PLT WAS AN A & P MECHANIC & PROVIDED THE REQUISITE CERTIFICATION. AN ACDNT OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF FM AN EN ROUTE STOP. A WITNESS TO THE TAKEOFF RPRTD THE ACFT USED 5500 FT OF RWY BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB HIGHER THAN 200 FT AGL BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ROUGH TRRN ABOUT 2 MI FM THE ARPT. AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 7760 FT. PERSONNEL, WHO RESPONDED TO THE CRASH SITE, OBSERVED THAT DUCT TAPE HAD BEEN USED TO SECURE AN ANGLE IRON ONTO A LANDING GEAR LEG (FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A STIFF LEG COND). DUCT TAPE HAD ALSO BEEN USED ON THE DETERIORATED WING TIPS (TO KEEP THEM STREAMLINED). TWO HORNET NESTS WERE FND IN AIRFRAME AIR INLETS. THE PLT RPRTD THAT NO MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DRG TAKEOFF.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:53 MST
Nearest AirportErnest Love Field (2nm SSW)
Runway21
Runway Length7616 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSmith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN601DE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert C Reid
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-P1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data