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 20, 2005 · Piper PA-16 · N5942H

Park City, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Park City, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-16
Tail Number
N5942H
Operator
Patricia H Bruck
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA05CA148

After measuring the north-south gravel road's width as being 36 feet, and noting that her airplane's wingspan was 30 feet, the pilot elected to takeoff south on the crowned, downhill road with telephone wires bordering it on the east. Staying to the right during the takeoff roll on the loose gravel, the pilot got off into a bordering ditch, then into the adjoining wheat field before ground looping across the road and impacting a fence. The outboard left wing, left forward wing lift strut, left landing gear, and propeller were damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane on the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the loose gravel, ditch, and the fence.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 2005, at 1215 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA-16 airplane, N5942H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while taking off near Park City, Montana. The certificated private pilot and her sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Shoshone Country Airport, Kellogg, Idaho, at 0700 Pacific daylight time, and was destined for the Laurel Municipal Airport (6S8), Laurel, Montana. In a written statement and in a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that after exhausting her fuel supply the engine quit, necessitating an uneventful forced landing to a wheat field approximately 4 nautical miles west of 6S8. The pilot stated that a [north/south] gravel road bordered the field on the east side; however, she elected to land in the wheat field rather than the road due to telephone poles bordering the road on the east. After securing 5 gallons of fuel and measuring the width of the road, which was 36 feet wide, versus her 30 foot wide wingspan, the pilot elected to take off on the road and proceed to 6S8. The pilot reported that she decided to take off on the right side of the road in order to let her right wing extend over the field, there was plenty of length, and the strip was downhill. The pilot stated, "The gravel on the right was loose and the road had a slight crown, and I got off into the ditch, went up into the field and ground looped to the left across the road and impacted a wire fence. There was also a slight crosswind from the east." The pilot reported the left wing outboard from the taxi/landing light was damaged, the left forward wing lift strut [was] bent, the left gear collapsed, and the propeller tips were bent.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-16
Tail NumberN5942H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPatricia H Bruck
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 80 · Third Class

Conditions

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

Appendix: Source Data