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

August 9, 2001 · Piper PA-60-602P · N44JH

Rock Springs, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rock Springs, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA-60-602P
Tail Number
N44JH
Operator
Roeder-Johnson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN01LA142

The airplane had just taken off and was climbing through 9,000 feet when the pilot heard "a very loud explosive sound" that came from the right side of the aircraft. He returned to the airport and landed. When the airplane touched down, it began veered to the right and the pilot attempted to correct. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed, driving it through the top of the wing. Half of the right main tire (30 hours total time in service) and most of its inner tube (with a round section blown out) were found at the point of touch down. Missing was the valve stem. Continuous S-shaped marks indicated the tire came off the rim.

NTSB Probable Cause

the right main tire blowing out in flight, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 2001, approximately 1330 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-60-602P, N44JH, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at Rock Springs, Wyoming. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed for this business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Rock Springs approximately 1325. The following is based on the pilot's accident report and a prior telephone conversation. The airplane had just taken off and was climbing through 9,000 feet. Immediately after copying his IFR clearance from the FAA air route traffic control center (ARTCC), the pilot heard "a very loud explosive sound" that came from the right side of the aircraft. He ruled out explosive decompression since the cabin was beginning to pressurize. Suspecting a separated wing panel or flight control, or possibly a bird strike, the pilot cancelled his IFR flight plan and informed ARTCC that he was returning to land. When the airplane touched down on runway 09, it began veering to the right and the pilot attempted to correct. The pilot said "dynamic oscillations of the right wheel [caused] vibrations throughout the airframe." The airplane departed the right side of the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right gear was driven through the top of the right wing, and the left and nose gears collapsed. The pilot reported both wings were destroyed and the fuselage was buckled. The pilot and airport personnel walked the length of the runway and found half of the right main tire (30 hours total time in service) and most of its inner tube (with a round section blown out) at the point of touch down. Missing was the valve stem. Continuous S-shaped gouge marks on the runway were consistent with the tire coming off the rim.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 MDT
Nearest AirportRock Springs-Sweetwater County (0nm)
Runway09
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-60-602P
Tail NumberN44JH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRoeder-Johnson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-U1A · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data