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 27, 1988 · Piper PA-25-235 · N9856P

Conrad, MT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Conrad, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N9856P
Operator
Mellott Thomas H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA139

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS MAKING A LT TURNAROUND TO BEGIN A SWATH RUN. HE SAID THE ACFT SLOWED WHILE IN A STEEP LT BANK AT THE HIGHEST PART OF THE TURN AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE LT WING AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE GROUND. THE LT WING AND MAIN LANDING GEAR HIT THE GROUND AND THE ACFT SLID SIDEWAYS BEFORE COMING TO REST. DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW ON THE DAY AFTER THE ACDT, THE PLT SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ACFT, HE JUST GOT TOO SLOW IN THE TURN. IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT OF THE ACDT, THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING THE TURNAROUND INTO A 6 TO 8 KT WIND AND HE THOUGHT THE WIND MIGHT HAVE QUIT WHILE HE WAS IN THE TURN.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS MAKING A LT TURNAROUND TO BEGIN A SWATH RUN. HE SAID THE ACFT SLOWED WHILE IN A STEEP LT BANK AT THE HIGHEST PART OF THE TURN AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE LT WING AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE GROUND. THE LT WING AND MAIN LANDING GEAR HIT THE GROUND AND THE ACFT SLID SIDEWAYS BEFORE COMING TO REST. DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW ON THE DAY AFTER THE ACDT, THE PLT SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ACFT, HE JUST GOT TOO SLOW IN THE TURN. IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT OF THE ACDT, THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING THE TURNAROUND INTO A 6 TO 8 KT WIND AND HE THOUGHT THE WIND MIGHT HAVE QUIT WHILE HE WAS IN THE TURN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN9856P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMellott Thomas H
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 8 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data