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

December 2, 1985 · Piper PA-31-350 · N9250Y

Englewood, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 2, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Englewood, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N9250Y
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN86FA034

THE PLT HAD BEEN FLYING APRX 7 HRS AND WAS COMPLETING THE FLT AT NIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS USING VISUAL CUES (THE ARPT ENVIROMENT) TO POSITION THE ACFT AT A PROPER ALT FOR A VISUAL APCH AND LANDING. THE TERRAIN SOUTH OF THE ARPT RISES SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET ABOVE THE ARPT ELEVATION. THE TERRAIN IS SPARSELY LIT. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 2 MILES SHORT OF RWY 34R IN AN OPEN PASTURE AT AN ELEV OF APRX 400 FT HIGHER THAN THE ARPT. THE PLT HAD FLOWN APRX 1 HR OF NIGHT TIME IN THE LAST 90 DAYS, ACCORDING TO HIS LOGBOOK.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD BEEN FLYING APRX 7 HRS AND WAS COMPLETING THE FLT AT NIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS USING VISUAL CUES (THE ARPT ENVIROMENT) TO POSITION THE ACFT AT A PROPER ALT FOR A VISUAL APCH AND LANDING. THE TERRAIN SOUTH OF THE ARPT RISES SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET ABOVE THE ARPT ELEVATION. THE TERRAIN IS SPARSELY LIT. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 2 MILES SHORT OF RWY 34R IN AN OPEN PASTURE AT AN ELEV OF APRX 400 FT HIGHER THAN THE ARPT. THE PLT HAD FLOWN APRX 1 HR OF NIGHT TIME IN THE LAST 90 DAYS, ACCORDING TO HIS LOGBOOK.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:08 MST
Nearest AirportCentennial (2nm SSE)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN9250Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTIO-540-V2AD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind50° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point1 C / 1 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data