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

July 15, 2003 · Piper PA-18A · N6792B

Zurich, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Zurich, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A
Tail Number
N6792B
Operator
Prairie Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA140

The pilot was conducting low level predator control operations in a slow flight mode with flaps at 1/2. During a left turn from the west to the east, at 30 to 40 feet above ground level, the pilot felt the initial indications of the airplane entering a stall. As the wings were rolled level the aircraft entered a secondary stall, subsequently impacting the ground in a slight nose down, wings level attitude.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On July 15, 2003, approximately 0740 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18A, N6792B, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain while maneuvering 3 nautical miles north of Zurich, Montana. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Prairie Aviation of Glasgow, Montana. The airline transport pilot and his sole passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 predator control flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Edgar G. Obie Airport, Chinook, Montana, at 0615. The pilot reported he was conducting low level operations in a "slow flight mode with flaps at 1/2." During a left turn from the west to the east, at approximately 30 to 40 feet above ground level (agl) he felt the initial indications of the airplane entering a stall. The pilot stated that after rolling wings level the aircraft entered a secondary stall, subsequently impacting the ground in an approximately 5 degree nose down, wings level attitude, coming to rest in an upright position. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane successfully, and no post-impact fire ensued. According the an FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, both landing gear had collapsed, both propeller blades were bent aft, and the left wing spar and aileron sustained substantial damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A
Tail NumberN6792B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPrairie Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data