NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

September 10, 1982 · Vari-Eze · N123EZ

Pagosa Springs, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pagosa Springs, CO
Aircraft
Vari-Eze
Tail Number
N123EZ
Operator
Bruce M Muirhead
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN82FTE27

DUE TO AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM FROM THE WEST, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 04 WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. THE SURFACE WAS WET AND THERE WAS ABOUT A 20 FT RISE IN THE LAST HALF OF THE RUNWAY. THE RUNWAY WAS 5600 FT LONG, BUT ITS ELEVATION WAS 7674 FT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 65 DEG. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE WAS AT ABOUT MID-FIELD DURING THE TAKEOFF, HE HAD ACCELERATED TO 60 KTS, BUT THE HILL AT THE EAST END WOULD HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FLY OFF, SO HE DECIDED TO ABORT. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING WET RUNWAY. AFTER DEPARTING THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND DOWN A ROCKY SLOPE.

Full Narrative

DUE TO AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM FROM THE WEST, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 04 WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. THE SURFACE WAS WET AND THERE WAS ABOUT A 20 FT RISE IN THE LAST HALF OF THE RUNWAY. THE RUNWAY WAS 5600 FT LONG, BUT ITS ELEVATION WAS 7674 FT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 65 DEG. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE WAS AT ABOUT MID-FIELD DURING THE TAKEOFF, HE HAD ACCELERATED TO 60 KTS, BUT THE HILL AT THE EAST END WOULD HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FLY OFF, SO HE DECIDED TO ABORT. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING WET RUNWAY. AFTER DEPARTING THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND DOWN A ROCKY SLOPE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 MDT
Nearest AirportStevens Field (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length5600 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVari-Eze
Tail NumberN123EZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBruce M Muirhead
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data