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 8, 2008 · Diamond Aircraft Industries DA-20-C-1 · N939DA

Pueblo, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 2008
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Pueblo, CO
Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft Industries DA-20-C-1
Tail Number
N939DA
Operator
Doss Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08TA225

According to the flight instructor and student pilot, while maneuvering to land, the accident airplane encountered wake turbulence from a preceding C-130 airplane. The accident airplane then began an uncommanded pitch, roll, and descent that could not be arrested prior to an impact with terrain. A review of radar data revealed that the flight path of the accident airplane was in an area favorable for a wake vortex encounter. No anomalies were reported by the flight instructor and student pilot or noted during the postaccident examination of the airframe and engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to an encounter with wake turbulence from a preceding larger aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's failure to intervene.

Full Narrative

On September 8, 2008, at approximately 1147 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Diamond DA-20-C-1 airplane, N939DA, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain near Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), Pueblo, Colorado. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was owned by Doss Aviation Incorporated and operated under contract by the United States Air Force (USAF). The airplane departed PUB for the local instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 public use flight. According to the flight instructor and student pilot, while entering the pattern for runway 8L's overhead pattern, they were informed by the tower controller to follow a C-130 and to be cautious of wake turbulence. With direction from the flight instructor, the student pilot turned and entered the downwind leg. The flight instructor recalled seeing the C-130 on a wide pattern and elected to lengthen the downwind leg and began to turn to final approximately 1 nautical mile past the runway threshold. Both pilots recalled that engine and airspeed parameters appeared "normal." Once the airplane was level on final, the student pilot was attempting to "keep it high," but noted that the glide slope indicators displayed "2 red/2 white." Furthermore, the student pilot reported that at approximately 1/2 mile from the threshold, the airplane encountered wake turbulence from the preceding C-130. The airplane began an uncommanded pitch up, rolled left and then began descending. Full throttle and opposite flight controls were applied. Despite attempts to regain level flight by both the student pilot and the flight instructor, the airplane descended until it collided with terrain. An examination of the airframe and engine was conducted by the NTSB with technical assistance from representatives of Diamond Aircraft and Teledyne Continental Motors. Flight control continuity was established to the ailerons, elevators, and rudder. The flaps were set to the landing position. No anomalies were noted which would have precluded the safe operation of the airplane. Engine valve train continuity, accessory gear continuity, compression and suction were established. The fuel manifold contained traces of fuel, and the fuel screen was found clear of debris. Both magnetos produced spark at all terminals. The throttle was found at the approximate full throttle position and the mixture control was found near the full rich position. The fuel inlet screen and oil filter were clear of debris. No anomalies were noted which would have precluded the production of engine power. A review of tower radar returns revealed that the accident airplane flew 56 to 62 seconds behind and within 1/4 to 1/2 nautical miles downwind of the preceding C-130's flight path. Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 90-23F, Aircraft Wake Turbulence released February 20, 2002, "is intended to alert pilots to the hazards of aircraft wake turbulence and recommends related operational procedures." Under the heading of "6. Induced Roll" the circular stated that "...the capability of an aircraft to counteract the roll imposed by the wake vortex primarily depends on the wingspan and counter-control responsiveness of the encountering aircraft." An 1153, an automated weather reporting facility at PUB, reported winds from 120 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, ceiling broken at 2,500 feet, overcast at 3,900 feet, temperature 54 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.30 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:47 MDT
Nearest AirportPueblo Memorial (0nm)
Runway08L
Runway Length10496 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDiamond Aircraft Industries DA-20-C-1
Tail NumberN939DA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDoss Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · IO-240 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 23 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 39 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data