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 27, 2003 · Cessna 170B · N1979C

Schafer, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Schafer, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N1979C
Operator
Craig Hanson
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03CA155

The pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff roll because he determined that the aircraft was not generating sufficient lift to execute a safe takeoff and clear obstacles located at the end of the runway. He reported that he applied heavy braking, however, the airplane skidded off the departure end of the runway, through a fence, and down an embankment. The pilot reported that the turf runway was damp at the time of the accident. He also reported that the he aborted the takeoff approximately halfway down the runway. The Schafer Airport is located at an elevation of 4,933 feet above mean sea level, and has a single turf runway (07/25), which is 3,200 feet long and 60 feet wide.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delayed remedial action during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet terrain, a fence and an embankment located at the end of the runway.

Full Narrative

On July 27, 2003, about 0745 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N1979C, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway overrun at the Schafer Airport (8U2), Schafer, Montana. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot's planned destination was Helena, Montana. In a written report, the pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff roll because he determined that the aircraft was not generating sufficient lift to execute a safe takeoff and clear obstacles located at the end of the runway. He reported that he applied heavy braking, however, the airplane skidded off the departure end of the runway, through a fence, and down an embankment. The Schafer Airport is located at an elevation of 4,933 feet above mean sea level, and has a single turf runway (07/25), which is 3,200 feet long and 60 feet wide. The pilot reported that the turf runway was damp at the time of the accident. He also reported that he aborted the takeoff approximately halfway down the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 MDT
Nearest AirportSchafer /Usfs/ (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN1979C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCraig Hanson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data