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

May 3, 1989 · Piper PA-18-150 · N9858D

Bozeman, MT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bozeman, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N9858D
Operator
Marlar Charles H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89LA114

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THE AREA OF THE ARPT, HE CONTACTED THE FLT SVC STATION (FSS) & WAS ADVISED THAT RWY 30 (A 9002' ASPHALT RWY) WAS ACTIVE & THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 210 DEG AT 10, GUSTING 15 KTS. THE ARPT ALSO HAD A TURF RWY (RWY 3/21) WHICH WAS 3400' LONG. THE PLT STATED THAT DRG TOUCHED DOWN ON RWY 30, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE APPLIED POWER, BUT THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED. SHORTLY AFTER COMING TO REST, IT BEGAN BURNING & WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH LED TO HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: USE OF AN UNFAVORABLE RUNWAY, CROSSWIND, AND GUSTS.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THE AREA OF THE ARPT, HE CONTACTED THE FLT SVC STATION (FSS) & WAS ADVISED THAT RWY 30 (A 9002' ASPHALT RWY) WAS ACTIVE & THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 210 DEG AT 10, GUSTING 15 KTS. THE ARPT ALSO HAD A TURF RWY (RWY 3/21) WHICH WAS 3400' LONG. THE PLT STATED THAT DRG TOUCHED DOWN ON RWY 30, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE APPLIED POWER, BUT THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED. SHORTLY AFTER COMING TO REST, IT BEGAN BURNING & WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:07 MDT
Nearest AirportGallatin Field (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length9002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN9858D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMarlar Charles H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:15
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data