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

December 28, 2002 · Beech F33A · N1592W

Durango, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 28, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Durango, CO
Aircraft
Beech F33A
Tail Number
N1592W
Operator
Robert W Dunavant
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA029

The pilot said made a crosswind approach for the runway. He said he entered a gradual climb to slow his airplane down enough to lower the landing gear, and then hit the gear switch thinking he had engaged it. The pilot turned on downwind until the other traffic was clear, and then subsequently turned on to base and final. The pilot said he did not realize there was a problem until he struck the runway. The airplane landed with the gear fully retracted damaging the bottom fuselage, flaps, and propeller. An examination of the airplane revealed no systems anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A contributing factor is the pilot's failure to follow the checklist.

Full Narrative

On December 28, 2002, at 1450 mountain standard time, a Beech F33A, N1592W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a wheels up landing at the Durango/La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal, cross-country flight from Borger, Texas, to Durango, Colorado, was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers on board the airplane reported no injuries. The flight originated at 1320 central standard time. In his written statement, the pilot said he made a crosswind approach for runway 02. He said he entered a gradual climb to slow his airplane down enough to lower the landing gear, and then hit the gear switch thinking he had engaged it. The pilot said he turned downwind until the other traffic was clear, and then turned subsequently on to base and final. The pilot said on final he lowered full flaps. He said he did not realize there was a problem until he struck the runway. The pilot said the airplane is equipped with a landing gear warning horn that goes off when the airplane slows sufficiently and the gear is not down. He said the horn did not go off. An examination of the airplane showed the bottom fuselage skin beneath the cabin area and the nose gear doors scraped aft longitudinally. The bottom fuselage skin between the wing roots, beginning at the leading edges and running rearward to the trailing edges of the flaps, was buckled and pushed upward slightly. The lower portions of the bulkheads in this area were buckled. The inboard trailing edges of the left and right flaps were split open, bent, and buckled. Both propeller blades were bent aft and curled at the tips, and showed torsional bending and chordwise scrapes. The airplane's landing gear was confirmed in the up and locked position. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's engine, engine controls, and other systems revealed no anomalies. The Normal Procedures Section of the Beechcraft F33A Pilot's Operating Handbook, under "Before Landing" states in item 4, "Landing Gear - Down and Check. (Observe maximum extension speed)" The Systems Description Section of the Pilot's Operating Handbook, under "Warning Horn" states, "With the landing gear retracted, if the throttle is retarded below approximately 12 in. Hg (inches-Mercury) manifold pressure, a warning horn will sound intermittently."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 MST
Nearest AirportDurango/La Plata County Arpt. (0nm)
Runway02
Runway Length9201 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech F33A
Tail NumberN1592W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert W Dunavant
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 18 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data