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

October 9, 1986 · Piper J3C-65 · N3742Z

Richey, MT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Richey, MT
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N3742Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN87FA002

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS SO THE PASSENGER COULD SHOOT AT A COYOTE, THE PLT INITIATED A RGT TURN TO POSITION THE ACFT FOR ANOTHER PASS. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER (REAR SEAT OCCUPANT) WAS PARTIALLY OUT THE OPEN DOOR WITH HIS RGT FOOT ON THE WING STRUT. RPRTDLY, THE PASSENGER GOT HIS LEG AGAINST THE CONTROL STICK & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT USING HIS SEAT BELT. HE RECEIVED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY & COULD NOT RECALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACDNT. THE PLT RECOMMENDED REMOVAL OF THE REAR CONTROL STICK AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PASSENGER INTERFERANCE WITH THE FLT CONTROLS.

Full Narrative

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS SO THE PASSENGER COULD SHOOT AT A COYOTE, THE PLT INITIATED A RGT TURN TO POSITION THE ACFT FOR ANOTHER PASS. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER (REAR SEAT OCCUPANT) WAS PARTIALLY OUT THE OPEN DOOR WITH HIS RGT FOOT ON THE WING STRUT. RPRTDLY, THE PASSENGER GOT HIS LEG AGAINST THE CONTROL STICK & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT USING HIS SEAT BELT. HE RECEIVED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY & COULD NOT RECALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACDNT. THE PLT RECOMMENDED REMOVAL OF THE REAR CONTROL STICK AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PASSENGER INTERFERANCE WITH THE FLT CONTROLS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN3742Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data