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 12, 2014 · Piper PA 18-150 · N91106

Monte Vista, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Monte Vista, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA 18-150 (1981)
Tail Number
N91106
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA361

The private pilot was conducting a personal flight and attempting to land the airplane. He reported that, due to equipment obstructing the 2,600-ft-long dirt runway at midfield, he conducted a shallow approach to land on the eastern half of the shortened runway with the airplane pointed west almost directly into the setting sun, which resulted in sun glare. When the airplane was about 100 ft east of the end of the runway, the main landing gear impacted a 2-ft-tall barley crop, which slowed the airplane. The pilot initiated a go-around, but he did not attain sufficient speed to maintain flight and exceeded the airplane's critical angle-of-attack. The airplane subsequently stalled, impacted terrain on the edge of the runway, and then came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail surfaces. The pilot was not injured and exited the airplane without assistance. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around following impact with a barley crop, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct a shallow approach with the airplane facing directly into the setting sun, which resulted in sun glare.

Full Narrative

On July 11, 2014, about 1915 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 single engine airplane, N91106, was substantially damaged during landing at Van Treese Airport (0CO9), Monte Vista, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Van Treese Farms, Inc.; and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had departed from Pagosa Springs Airport (PSO), Pagosa Springs, Colorado, at 1820, and was destined for 0CO9. There was equipment obstructing the 2,600 foot long dirt runway at midfield and the pilot was making a shallow approach to land on the eastern half of the shortened runway while pointed to the west almost directly into the setting sun. When the airplane was about 100 feet east from the end of the runway the main landing gear impacted a two-foot tall green barley crop which slowed the airplane. The pilot began a go-around maneuver, but was unable to maintain flying speed. The airplane stalled and impacted terrain on the edge of the runway, coming to rest inverted with resulting substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail surfaces. There was no postimpact fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane without assistance. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He added that he should have used a steeper approach to land, and should have maintained clearance from the barley crop obstructions in the final approach path. He added that he should have considered using a longer runway at a nearby airport, or considered using a different runway that was not oriented directly into the glare of the setting sun.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 MDT
Nearest AirportVan Treese (6166nm E)
RunwayW
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 18-150
Tail NumberN91106
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 19 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time00:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data