NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

April 8, 1989 · Cessna P172D · N8562X

Crested Butte, CO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Crested Butte, CO
Aircraft
Cessna P172D
Tail Number
N8562X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA103

THE PLT & A FRIEND FLEW TO ANOTHER ARPT IN THE LOCAL AREA. AFTER ARRIVING AT THAT ARPT, THE PLT CHECKED THE WIND SOCK & ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 11. DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCTRD SNOW ON THE RWY THAT WAS DEEPER THAN EXPECTED. DUE TO THE SLOPE OF THE RWY, THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION (DOWNHILL) WITH A SLIGHT TAILWIND. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT WOULD ONLY CLIMB ABOUT 5 FT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A 6 FT SNOW BANK & NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ACDNT OCCURRED DUE TO WIND GUSTS FROM BEHIND & THE ACFT HITTING DRIFTS THAT SLOWED IT DOWN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT SELECTED A RUNWAY WITH UNSUITABLE CONDITIONS FOR TAKING OFF. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT & A FRIEND FLEW TO ANOTHER ARPT IN THE LOCAL AREA. AFTER ARRIVING AT THAT ARPT, THE PLT CHECKED THE WIND SOCK & ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 11. DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCTRD SNOW ON THE RWY THAT WAS DEEPER THAN EXPECTED. DUE TO THE SLOPE OF THE RWY, THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION (DOWNHILL) WITH A SLIGHT TAILWIND. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT WOULD ONLY CLIMB ABOUT 5 FT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A 6 FT SNOW BANK & NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ACDNT OCCURRED DUE TO WIND GUSTS FROM BEHIND & THE ACFT HITTING DRIFTS THAT SLOWED IT DOWN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MDT
Nearest AirportCrested Butte (0nm N)
Runway11
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P172D
Tail NumberN8562X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4N · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data