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
October 30, 1991 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6815P
Ellicott, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 30, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Ellicott, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N6815P
Operator
Southwest Aircraft Recovery
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN92LA006
THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER HE OBSERVED ICE ON THE WING. HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD. ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ROAD AT 120 MPH AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE SLID THROUGH A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. THE PILOT, WHO IS ALSO AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS BUT SUSPECTED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH BY PERSON(S) HE REFUSED TO NAME.
NTSB Probable Cause
A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH, AND EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO IMC, ACCUMULATION OF WING ICE AND HIS BECOMING LOST DISORIENTED.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER HE OBSERVED ICE ON THE WING. HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD. ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ROAD AT 120 MPH AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE SLID THROUGH A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. THE PILOT, WHO IS ALSO AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS BUT SUSPECTED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH BY PERSON(S) HE REFUSED TO NAME.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:27 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN6815P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouthwest Aircraft Recovery
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 6 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC