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

June 21, 2003 · Piper PA-11 · N4565M

Alzada, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Alzada, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-11
Tail Number
N4565M
Operator
Pilster Lane R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA03LA111

The student pilot, who had logged at least 93 hours of flight time in the accident aircraft (total time), was engaged in livestock spotting at low altitude (200 feet above ground) in turbulent conditions with a wind out of the northwest estimated at 20 knots. During a 40-degree angle of bank, right 180 degree turn, the aircraft's angle of bank exceeded 90 degrees and the pilot applied full left aileron and rudder with no effect. The aircraft continued a rolling right descent and when about 80-90 feet above ground, the roll reversed into a left roll during which the left wingtip and nose impacted the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled counter-clockwise 270 degrees to a stop during which the engine separated from the airframe. A post-crash fire consumed the aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed in a turn while maneuvering close to the ground resulting in a stall condition. A contributing factor was the turbulent wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On June 21, 2003, approximately 0815 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-11, N4565M, registered to Pilster Ranch Corp., and being flown by a student pilot was destroyed in a post-crash fire following a loss of control in flight while maneuvering approximately 14 miles north-northwest of Alzada, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal (livestock spotting), was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the pilot's ranch approximately 0800. The pilot, who had been issued a student pilot certificate on July 21, 2000 (concurrent with his last known Class III medical) reported that he departed the Pilster Ranch approximately 12 nautical miles north of Alzada and was checking livestock north of highway 212. He indicated that the wind was from the northwest about 20 knots and he was flying eastbound about 200 feet above ground at 2000 RPM. He noted something of interest on the ground and began a right 40-degree angle of bank turn. He had turned right almost to the point of flying directly into the wind when the aircraft's angle of bank exceeded 90 degrees right wing down. He reported that he "...had the stick and rudder all the way over to the left, but the plane did not respond and it started to roll in towards the ground...." He continued, relating that when about 80-90 feet above ground the aircraft rolled back to the left and the left wingtip struck the ground followed by the nose. The aircraft cartwheeled counter-clockwise 270 degrees to a stop coming to rest with the engine detached and about six feet forward and left of the cockpit. He noted a fire forward of the cockpit area, exited the aircraft, and radioed for help. The pilot reported light to moderate turbulence at the time of the accident. A copy of the pilot's logbook opened with the first entry logged July 19, 2000. The last entry logged was October 7, 2001, and the total flight time recorded was approximately 93 hours, all in the PA-11.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-11
Tail NumberN4565M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPilster Lane R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C90 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 55
Altimeter29.61 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data