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

July 27, 1983 · Piper PA-28-235C · N9378W

Pitkin, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Pitkin, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235C
Tail Number
N9378W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN83FA180

THE ACFT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM CAMARILLO, CA TO OSHKOSH, WI. THE PLT LANDED AT ABOUT NOON AT MONTROSE, CO, WHERE THE ACFT WAS REFUELED & THE OCCUPANTS WENT TO A RESTAURANT TO EAT. AFTER DEPARTING MONTROSE, THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING LOW OVER RISING, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, HEADING TOWARD WILLIAMS PASS. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON THE SOUTH SLOPE OF A VALLEY NEAR WILLIAMS PASS, APRX 92 MI ENE OF MONTROSE. THE WITNESSES DID NOT SEE OR HEAR THE ACFT CRASH. AT THE TIME, THEY THOUGHT THE PLT MAY HAVE TURNED OR SOMEHOW CONTINUED OVER THE PASS. LATER, THE ACFT WAS FOUND AFTER A WITNESS LEARNED THERE WAS A MISSING PLANE & NOTIFIED AUTHORITIES. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 14,400 FT. THE PLT'S LAST BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW WAS ON 7/24/81.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM CAMARILLO, CA TO OSHKOSH, WI. THE PLT LANDED AT ABOUT NOON AT MONTROSE, CO, WHERE THE ACFT WAS REFUELED & THE OCCUPANTS WENT TO A RESTAURANT TO EAT. AFTER DEPARTING MONTROSE, THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING LOW OVER RISING, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, HEADING TOWARD WILLIAMS PASS. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ON THE SOUTH SLOPE OF A VALLEY NEAR WILLIAMS PASS, APRX 92 MI ENE OF MONTROSE. THE WITNESSES DID NOT SEE OR HEAR THE ACFT CRASH. AT THE TIME, THEY THOUGHT THE PLT MAY HAVE TURNED OR SOMEHOW CONTINUED OVER THE PASS. LATER, THE ACFT WAS FOUND AFTER A WITNESS LEARNED THERE WAS A MISSING PLANE & NOTIFIED AUTHORITIES. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 14,400 FT. THE PLT'S LAST BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW WAS ON 7/24/81.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235C
Tail NumberN9378W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data