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

February 17, 2006 · Mooney M20F · N9704M

Willits, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 2006
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Willits, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N9704M
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA118

The airplane impacted a tree on short final after the pilot inadvertently entered a low-lying area of ground fog and lost visual contact with the runway. The pilot was not current for night flights and hired a certified flight instructor (CFI) to assist in the night flight. The pilot activated the pilot controlled medium intensity runway edge lights over the common traffic advisory frequency. While the flight was on final approach, the airplane inadvertently entered an area of low-lying ground fog and descended too low. The CFI applied full power but the airplane impacted a tree with the right wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain visual contact with the runway at night, which resulted in a descent below the proper glide path and a collision with a tree. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

On February 16, 2006, at 2030 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20F, N9704M, impacted a tree while on final approach for runway 34 at the Willits Municipal Airport, Willits, California. The airplane was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries, while the certified flight instructor (CFI) and another passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country flight that originated from Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Sacramento, California, at 1846. The flight was destined for Willits. According to the pilot's written statement, he hired the CFI to assist in the night flight, as he was not current in night operations. The pilot and CFI flew from Lampson Field, Lampson, California, to Sacramento to pickup two passengers. The passengers were to be dropped off at Willits and the pilot and CFI were to return to Lampson. The pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to making the uneventful flight to Sacramento. After picking up the passengers the flight proceeded to Willits. After reaching the vicinity of Willits, the pilots activated the pilot controlled lighting over the common traffic advisory frequency. They entered a right downwind for runway 34, which was lit by runway edge lights. As the pilot flew the airplane onto final approach at 80 knots, he entered a low-lying area of ground fog and temporarily lost sight of the runway. The airplane descended too low and the CFI applied full power but the airplane impacted a tree on short final with its right wing. The Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) for Willits indicates that trees were present on the approach end of runway 16 and 34 and medium intensity runway lighting was available. The pilot indicated that some of the runway edge lights were inoperative. The airport was not equipped with a visual approach slope indicator or a precision approach path indicator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 PST
Nearest AirportWILLITS (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN9704M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 79 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind280° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time04:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data