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

August 16, 2008 · Air Tractor AT-400A · N7307W

Luverne, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Luverne, MN
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-400A
Tail Number
N7307W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI08CA257

The accident occurred during an aerial application flight. The pilot reported she had sprayed approximately 40 acres when the engine began making a "popping" sound with a higher pitched whistle. She reported she pulled back on the elevator control to gain as much altitude as possible and began looking for a place to land. She stated that while looking out the right side of the airplane, she noticed flames coming from the right side exhaust stack. The pilot determined she was not able to land on the country road, so she decided to try and fly between a couple of trees to land in an open field. She stated the airplane touched down prior to the trees and it spun to the right, impacting one of the trees with the left wing. Inspection of the engine revealed that all of the compressor turbine blades were damaged with most of them having broken off. Damage was also present to the outlet side of the compressor turbine guide vanes.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the compressor turbine blades which resulted in the loss of power. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude and the trees.

Full Narrative

On August 16, 2008, at 1000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-400A, N7307W, operated by Wilbur-Ellis Air LLC, collided with a tree during an off airport forced landing in Luverne, Minnesota. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The aerial application flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Luverne Municipal Airport (LYV), Luverne, Minnesota, at 0950. The pilot reported she had sprayed approximately 40 acres when the engine began making a "popping" sound with a higher pitched whistle. She reported she pulled back on the elevator control to gain as much altitude as possible and began looking for a place to land. She stated that while looking out the right side of the airplane, she noticed flames coming from the right side exhaust stack. The pilot determined she was not able to land on the country road, so she decided to try and fly between a couple of trees to land in an open field. She stated the airplane touched down prior to the trees and it spun to the right, impacting one of the trees with the left wing. Inspection of the engine revealed that all of the compressor turbine blades were damaged with most of them having broken off. Damage was also present to the outlet side of the compressor turbine guide vanes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-400A
Tail NumberN7307W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-20 · Turboprop

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.27 inHg
Observation Time09:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data