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 1, 2012 · Grumman Acft Eng Cor G-164A · N9822

La Salle, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
La Salle, CO
Aircraft
Grumman Acft Eng Cor G-164A
Tail Number
N9822
Operator
Low Level Dusting
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA513

The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff for the aerial application flight, the airplane’s engine ”popped and banged.” The pilot decided to jettison the airplane’s load and return to land at the departure airport. However, while returning to the airport, the engine began to surge repeatedly between full power and a total loss of power, and the pilot decided to land in a nearby alfalfa field, where the airplane nosed over during the forced landing. Examination of the engine revealed that a screw that secured the distributor rotor to the brass gear had come out, which resulted in the detached rotor moving loosely inside the magneto. Internal damage to the rotor and magneto was consistent with the rotor rubbing inside of the magneto. This distributor rotor separation and subsequent movement most likely resulted in the rough running engine and the subsequent loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Ignition system-Magneto/distributor-Damaged/degraded - C

Full Narrative

On August 1, 2012, about 0920 mountain daylight time, a Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation G-164A airplane, N9822, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field after experiencing a loss of power near La Salle, Colorado. The pilot suffered minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Low Level Dusting Company, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137, as an agricultural application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. At the time of the accident the airplane was departing from a private agricultural strip for a local flight. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff he heard and felt the engine “pop and bang.” The pilot elected to return to the strip, at which time the engine experienced a complete loss of power. During the forced landing to a field of tall alfalfa, the ground roll was faster than desired and the airplane was approaching a ditch and obstacles at the end of the field. The pilot applied heavy braking and the airplane stopped abruptly and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The outboard portion of the upper left wing separated, the engine separated from the airframe, and the vertical stabilizer was crushed. An examination of the engine revealed that a screw securing the distributor rotor to the brass gear had come out. The rotor had separated and was loose inside of the magneto. Internal damage to the rotor and magneto was consistent with the rotor rubbing inside of the magneto. Further examination of the engine and airframe revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 MDT
Nearest AirportLow Level Strip (1nm)
Runway31
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman Acft Eng Cor G-164A
Tail NumberN9822
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLow Level Dusting
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time15:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data