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

December 15, 2007 · Garniss STOL 701 · N45500

Mesilla, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mesilla, NM
Aircraft
Garniss STOL 701
Tail Number
N45500
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN08LA040

The pilot flew his recently-purchased airplane over his home on a "daily basis." Each time, he would "buzz" his house and "wig wag" his wings. On the afternoon of the accident, the airplane circled over a vacant field behind his house in a constant descending left turn. He began to rock his wings as he made a "lower than normal" pass. As the pilot rocked his wings, he "lost control" of the airplane. The left wing tip contacted the ground and the airplane cartwheeled. A toxicological screen performed by FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute found Chlorpheniramine in the pilot's blood and urine. Since it could not be quantified, it could not be determined how much was in the pilot's body or how long he had taken the antihistamine before flying. According to the Regional Federal Air Surgeon, the drug is contraindicated because it may cause drowsiness.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an intentional low altitude maneuver due to impairment, resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On December 15, 2007, at 1641 mountain standard time, a Garniss STOL 701, N45500, piloted by a sport pilot, was destroyed when it struck terrain while maneuvering near Mesilla, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated approximately 1600 from Las Cruces (LRU), New Mexico. According to FAA inspectors, the pilot purchased the airplane approximately 2 months prior to the accident. His wife and daughters, who were witnesses to the accident, told the inspectors that the pilot flew over his home on a "daily basis." Each time, he would "buzz" his house and "wig wag" his wings. On the afternoon of the accident, they observed the airplane circling over a vacant field behind their house in a constant descending left turn. Other witnesses said the pilot began to rock his wings as he made a "lower than normal" pass. As the pilot wig wagged his wings, he "lost control" of the airplane. The left wing tip contacted the ground and the airplane cartwheeled. The accident site was approximately 100 yards east of 2031 Old Farm Road, and 350 feet west-southwest of the pilot's residence. A toxicological screen performed by FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, found Chlorpheniramine in the pilot's blood and urine. Since it could not be quantified, it could not be determined how much was in the pilot's body or how long he had taken the antihistamine before flying. According to the Regional Federal Air Surgeon, the drug is contraindicated because it may cause drowsiness.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:41 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGarniss STOL 701
Tail NumberN45500
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / -2 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time16:37
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data