Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
September 11, 1991 · Butler Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6 · N4VH
Ruidoso, NM
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Ruidoso, NM
Aircraft
Butler Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N4VH
Operator
Franklin Jimmy M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN91FA127
WHILE DEPARTING ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TAKEOFF ROLL AND TO ROTATE ABRUPTLY TO A HIGHER THAN NORMAL NOSE ATTITUDE. INITIAL CLIMB WAS FOLLOWED BY SETTLING WITH A HIGH NOSE ATTITUDE AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE MAIN CABIN DOOR WAS FOUND IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION AND THE LOWER HALF WAS FOUND NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE WRECKAGE PATH WITH IMPACT DAMAGE. THE TOP HALF WAS FOUND FURTHER DOWN THE WRECKAGE PATH AND HAD SUSTAINED FIRE DAMAGE. THE AEROSTAR HAS AN OBSERVED DRAG AND PITCH PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION IF THE CABIN DOOR OPENS DURING TAKEOFF RUN.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT AFTER TO THE CABIN DOOR OPENED INADVERTENTLY DURING TAKEOFF RUN.
Full Narrative
WHILE DEPARTING ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TAKEOFF ROLL AND TO ROTATE ABRUPTLY TO A HIGHER THAN NORMAL NOSE ATTITUDE. INITIAL CLIMB WAS FOLLOWED BY SETTLING WITH A HIGH NOSE ATTITUDE AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE MAIN CABIN DOOR WAS FOUND IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION AND THE LOWER HALF WAS FOUND NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE WRECKAGE PATH WITH IMPACT DAMAGE. THE TOP HALF WAS FOUND FURTHER DOWN THE WRECKAGE PATH AND HAD SUSTAINED FIRE DAMAGE. THE AEROSTAR HAS AN OBSERVED DRAG AND PITCH PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION IF THE CABIN DOOR OPENS DURING TAKEOFF RUN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 MDT
Nearest AirportSierra Blanca Regional (1nm NW)
Runway24
Runway Length8100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftButler Aerostar 600 Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN4VH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFranklin Jimmy M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-F1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC