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 3, 1983 · Schweizer I-26D · N7740S

Black Canyon, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 3, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Black Canyon, AZ
Aircraft
Schweizer I-26D
Tail Number
N7740S
Operator
Turf Soaring School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84LA092

THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ON A FERRY X-COUNTRY WHEN THEY OVERFLEW AN UNDERCAST. THE TOW PLANE STARTED DESCENT TO PENETRATE THE CLOUDS EXPECTING THE GLIDER TO MAINTAIN TOW AND CONTACT ON THE 200 FT LINE. THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED AND SPUN DOWN THROUGH THE OVERCAST. HE DID THIS HE SAID TO PREVENT DISORIENTATION. HE BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 800 FT AGL AND WHILE LANDING IN A PASTURE COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

Full Narrative

THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ON A FERRY X-COUNTRY WHEN THEY OVERFLEW AN UNDERCAST. THE TOW PLANE STARTED DESCENT TO PENETRATE THE CLOUDS EXPECTING THE GLIDER TO MAINTAIN TOW AND CONTACT ON THE 200 FT LINE. THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED AND SPUN DOWN THROUGH THE OVERCAST. HE DID THIS HE SAID TO PREVENT DISORIENTATION. HE BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 800 FT AGL AND WHILE LANDING IN A PASTURE COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway61
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer I-26D
Tail NumberN7740S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTurf Soaring School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data