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 4, 1991 · Cessna C-A150L · N6019J

Cottonwood, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Cottonwood, CA
Aircraft
Cessna C-A150L
Tail Number
N6019J
Operator
Michael J Rust
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA242

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKE A LOW PASS OVER HIS PRIVATELY OWNED AIRSTRIP BETWEEN 50 AND 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL). THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE PULLED UP, CLIMBED TO A MAXIMUM ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET AGL, & MADE A COMPLETE AILERON ROLL. THE WITNESS FURTHER REPORTED THAT AT THE COMPLETION OF THE ROLL THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING SLOWLY. SUDDENLY, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A RIGHT 60 TO 90 DEGREE BANK, AND THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DROPPED. THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY DESCENDED, & WHILE IN A RIGHT WING LOW AND NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IT COLLIDED INTO THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE. THE PILOT HAD A HISTORY OF FLYING LOW OVER THE AIRSTRIP TO SAY HELLO TO THE RESIDENTS. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THE PROFESSIONAL 21,300-HOUR PILOT, FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND AIR TAXI OPERATOR, HAD PERFORMED LOW LEVEL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS DURING AIR SHOWS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL LOW PASS DURING WHICH HE PERFORMED AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WITH INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LOW ALTITUDE AND THE TAILWIND CONDITION WHICH CREATED THE VISUAL PERCEPTION TO THE PILOT OF HAVING AN AIRSPEED HIGHER THAN THAT WHICH HE ACTUALLY HAD. ALSO, THE PILOT USED EXCEEDINGLY POOR JUDGMENT BY HIS PERFORMANCE OF THE AEROBATIC MANEUVER NEAR HOMES.

Full Narrative

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKE A LOW PASS OVER HIS PRIVATELY OWNED AIRSTRIP BETWEEN 50 AND 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL). THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE PULLED UP, CLIMBED TO A MAXIMUM ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET AGL, & MADE A COMPLETE AILERON ROLL. THE WITNESS FURTHER REPORTED THAT AT THE COMPLETION OF THE ROLL THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING SLOWLY. SUDDENLY, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A RIGHT 60 TO 90 DEGREE BANK, AND THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DROPPED. THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY DESCENDED, & WHILE IN A RIGHT WING LOW AND NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IT COLLIDED INTO THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE. THE PILOT HAD A HISTORY OF FLYING LOW OVER THE AIRSTRIP TO SAY HELLO TO THE RESIDENTS. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THE PROFESSIONAL 21,300-HOUR PILOT, FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND AIR TAXI OPERATOR, HAD PERFORMED LOW LEVEL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS DURING AIR SHOWS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway16
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-A150L
Tail NumberN6019J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMichael J Rust
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data