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

July 24, 2010 · Piper PA-28-151 · N1158X

Spearfish, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 2010
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury)
Location
Spearfish, SD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N1158X
Operator
Glen Van Zee
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA430

The pilot reported that the airplane’s airspeed was 70 mph when it was crossing the runway threshold, which was 10 mph slower than he normally landed the airplane. He decided to execute a go-around and flew the length of the runway before making the crosswind turn. When he turned left onto the downwind leg, the engine stopped producing power and he executed a forced landing to a field. He reported that he did not see a tree in the field and the right wing impacted the tree after the airplane touched down. Postaccident inspection of the left fuel tank revealed that it was full of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel in the right wing’s fuel tank. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane and that he did not switch the fuel tanks prior to landing, causing the engine to lose power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 2010, at 0800 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N1158X, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain and a tree after a loss of engine power during a go-around at the Black Hills Airport (SPF), Spearfish, South Dakota. The private pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight departed from Townsend Airport (8U8), Townsend, Montana, about 0500, and was stopping at SPF for fuel. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the airplane’s airspeed was 70 mph when it was crossing the threshold for landing on runway 30 (5,498 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), which was 10 mph slower than he normally landed the airplane. He decided to execute a go-around, and he flew the length of the runway before making the crosswind turn. When he turned left onto the downwind leg, the engine stopped producing power, and he executed a forced landing to a field. He reported that he did not see a tree in the field, and the right wing impacted the tree after the airplane touched down. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and accident site. The wreckage path was about 160 feet in length on a northeasterly heading. The initial point of impact was a ground scar made by the left wingtip. The airplane’s right wing was found lodged around the trunk of a tree located about 100 feet from the initial impact point. The airplane’s main wreckage came to rest about 60 feet from the tree. The left fuel tank was full of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel in the right wing’s fuel tank. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. He reported that he did not switch the fuel tanks prior to landing, and that the “engine quit due to fuel starvation.” The direct flight distance between 8U8 and SPR is about 344 nautical miles.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest AirportBlack Hills Airport (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length5498 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN1158X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGlen Van Zee
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 9 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 50
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time13:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data