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

June 19, 2015 · Cessna 180A · N9699B

Polson, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Polson, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 180A (1957)
Tail Number
N9699B
Operator
Schantz Matthew T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR15LA191

The pilot reported that, while the airplane was on approach and about 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot continued the descent while maintaining the best glide airspeed and performing the engine restart procedures, which included applying carburetor heat. Despite the pilot's efforts, the engine would not restart, and he initiated a forced landing to a small field. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, a weather reporting facility located 37 nautical miles north of the accident site recorded a temperature and dew point that were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide power. However, it could not be determined whether carburetor ice caused the power loss.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On June 19, 2015 about 1340 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180A, N9699B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Polson, Montana. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Cavanaugh Bay Airport (66S), Coolin, Idaho at 1140 with a planned destination of Polson Airport (8S1), Polson, Montana.In a written statement, the pilot stated that during approach, about 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot continued his descent while maintaining the best glide airspeed. He performed the engine restart procedures where he applied carburetor heat. Despite his efforts the engine would not restart and he initiated a forced landing to a small field. During the landing, the right main gear collapsed, subsequently resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot further stated that he had 26 gallons of fuel on board prior to departing 66S. An onsite examination of the wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on June 19, 2015. The inspector was present during the transportation process of the wreckage. Seven gallons of fuel was collected from each main tank with some fuel remaining in each. The main fuel line to the carburetor was disconnected and fuel was present. A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted on July 6, 2015. The carburetor drain plug was removed and fuel flowed freely from the drain. The gascolator was filled with fuel and free of contaminates. The gascolator was inspected with a flashlight and its screen was free of debris and contaminates. The crankshaft was rotated by hand and engine gear continuity was attained from the propeller assembly to the accessory case. Confirmed compression from all six cylinders and spark from both magnetos were attained. Additionally, on July 20, 2015, the wing tank vent lines and left and right fuel tank caps were examined and revealed no anomalies. The postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell (GPI), Montana, located 37 nautical miles north of the accident site, at 1255 the automated weather observation, included winds from 230 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 25 degrees C, dew point 3 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury. The GPI 1355 automated weather observation, included winds from 240 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 22 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 26 degrees C, dew point 3 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury. In the remarks section of the observation, peak winds were recorded from 220 degrees at 27 knots. Temperature and dew point values for the approximate time of the accident indicated that the relative humidity was approximately 24 percent. When the intersection of the two temperature values was located on a chart that depicted carburetor ice envelopes, the point was in the region of the chart denoted as "Icing at Glide and Cruise Power."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 MDT
Nearest AirportPOLSON (1nm NNW)
Runway18
Runway Length4195 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180A
Tail NumberN9699B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSchantz Matthew T
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 14 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data