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 29, 2002 · Piper PA-22-160 · N3607Z

Ruth, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ruth, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-160
Tail Number
N3607Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA265

The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over after encountering a 35-knot wind gust during landing rollout. According to the pilot, upon entering the airport's traffic pattern he noted the surface wind was nearly calm. Nothing unusual occurred during his approach to the runway. After touchdown the airplane encountered the wind gust, which lifted the tail. The pilot could not regain control and the airplane veered off the runway and nosed over. The pilot did not indicate that he had experienced any mechanical problem with his airplane. The pilot had flown the model of accident airplane for about 500 hours, including 6 hours during the preceding 90-day period.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain control.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 2002, about 1830 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N3607Z, nosed over during landing at the Ruth (uncontrolled) Airport, Ruth, California. The private pilot received a minor injury, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot/airplane owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Oakland, California, about 1710. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that upon entering the traffic pattern he noted the surface wind was nearly calm. Nothing unusual occurred during his approach to runway 13. During the landing rollout, he encountered a 35-knot wind gust that lifted the airplane's tail upward. Thereafter, the pilot lost control of the airplane, and it veered off the runway and nosed over. The pilot did not indicate that he had experienced any mechanical problem with his airplane. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report" he indicated that he had flown the model of accident airplane for about 500 hours, including 6 hours during the preceding 90 days. His total flying experience was 1,239.8 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 PDT
Nearest AirportRUTH (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-160
Tail NumberN3607Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.73 inHg
Observation Time00:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data