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

September 9, 2005 · Cessna T207A · N207GR

Telluride, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Telluride, CO
Aircraft
Cessna T207A
Tail Number
N207GR
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN05CA136

While attempting to climb over rising terrain, the airplane encountered downdrafts, stalled, and impacted terrain. The pilot flew the airplane at an altitude of 10,600 feet msl toward the leeward side of a ridge after departure from the local airport. The pilot reported the airplane had a "good rate of climb" until reaching the ridge line and then encountered downdrafts. Upon reaching the ridge, the airplane stopped climbing and began a descent. The pilot raised the nose of the airplane in an attempt to clear the ridge and he heard the stall warning horn. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain approximately 200 feet below the ridge line.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and the rising terrain and encounter with downdrafts.

Full Narrative

On September 9, 2005, approximately 0730 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T207A single-engine airplane, N207GR, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control near Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Blue Sky Telluride, LLC., Telluride, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Telluride, Colorado, at 0715, and was destined for Montrose, Colorado. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site and interviewed the pilot, the pilot flew the airplane at an altitude of 10,600 feet msl toward the leeward side of a ridge after departure from TEX. The pilot reported the airplane had a "good rate of climb" until reaching the ridge line. Upon reaching the ridge, the airplane stopped climbing and began a descent. The pilot raised the nose of the airplane in an attempt to clear the ridge, and he heard the stall warning horn. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain approximately 200 feet below the ridge line. Pilot stated the airplane was "developing good power, but that it just stopped climbing and began to descend." According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, he executed a climbing right turn toward rising terrain. The airplane was in "climbing configuration" and maintained a 1,000 foot per minute rate-of-climb. At an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet, the airplane experienced "significant downdrafts forcing the plane to lose altitude at a rapid rate." The pilot realized the airplane would not clear the rising terrain and he initiated a left turn to reverse course. The pilot stated, "With the continuing downdraft and loss of lift, I was unable to clear the terrain and made a forced landing in a clearing below the peak."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T207A
Tail NumberN207GR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

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

Appendix: Source Data