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 13, 2002 · Aero Commander Callair A-9B · N7791V

El Paso, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
El Paso, TX
Aircraft
Aero Commander Callair A-9B
Tail Number
N7791V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02CA206

While attempting to land, the pilot saw a dust devil approximately 50 to 100 feet directly in front of him over the runway. Being too low to turn, he applied full power and attempted to fly through the dust devil. When the airplane pitched up and went into a left climbing turn, he applied full right aileron and rudder in an attempt to control the airplane. Witnesses observed the airplane pitch up and make a 270 degree left turn. The airplane became inverted and impacted the ground on its nose, bounced, and came to rest on its main landing gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of control due to the encounter with the dust devil.

Full Narrative

On July 13, 2002, approximately 1530 mountain daylight time, an Aero Commander Callair A-9B single-engine airplane, N7791V, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an encounter with a dust devil during landing at the West Texas Airport near El Paso, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the El Paso Soaring Society of El Paso. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight. The local flight originated from the West Texas Airport, approximately 1510. The pilot reported that while attempting to land on runway 8, he saw a dust devil approximately 50 to 100 feet directly in front of him over the runway. Due to heavy rain, which had passed through the area, the dust devils were not picking up sand as usual. All he saw was a couple of sheets of flying paper. Being too low to turn, he applied full power and attempted to fly through the dust devil. When the airplane pitched up and went into a left climbing turn due to the cyclonic effect, he applied full right aileron and rudder in an attempt to control the airplane. Witnesses observed the airplane pitch up and make a 270 degree left turn. The airplane became inverted and impacted the ground on its nose, bounced, and came to rest 150 feet north of the runway on its main landing gear facing south. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that both wings were structurally damaged, and the engine was displaced into the firewall.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MDT
Nearest AirportWest Texas (0nm)
Runway8
Runway Length7505 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander Callair A-9B
Tail NumberN7791V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 295
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data