Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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 27, 1982 · Piper PA-12 · N7715H
Oakes, ND
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Oakes, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N7715H
Operator
Lee Ruhn
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN82FTG06
SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS BLACKBIRD CONTROL OF A SUNFLOWER FIELD. THERE WAS SPECULATION BY LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING USED TO SPREAD POISONED CORN. THIS WAS SUBSTANTIATED WHEN CORN AND A PORTION OF AN AVITROL BAG WERE FOUND LATER AT THE CRASH SITE. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE, THEN PULLED UP OVER A ROW OF TREES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. IT THEN PROCEEDED SOUTH TOWARD THE TOWN OF OAKES, ND AND MADE A STEEP TURN IN THE VICINITY OF THE PILOT'S HOME. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS JUST ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS AND SEEMED TO SETTLE AND COLLIDE WITH A HOUSE. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAME. THE AIRCRAFT AND A PORTION OF THE HOUSE WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE.
Full Narrative
SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS BLACKBIRD CONTROL OF A SUNFLOWER FIELD. THERE WAS SPECULATION BY LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING USED TO SPREAD POISONED CORN. THIS WAS SUBSTANTIATED WHEN CORN AND A PORTION OF AN AVITROL BAG WERE FOUND LATER AT THE CRASH SITE. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE, THEN PULLED UP OVER A ROW OF TREES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. IT THEN PROCEEDED SOUTH TOWARD THE TOWN OF OAKES, ND AND MADE A STEEP TURN IN THE VICINITY OF THE PILOT'S HOME. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS JUST ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS AND SEEMED TO SETTLE AND COLLIDE WITH A HOUSE. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAME. THE AIRCRAFT AND A PORTION OF THE HOUSE WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN7715H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLee Ruhn
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility26 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter0