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

November 11, 2015 · Cessna 208B · N617ST

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (10 uninjured)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Cessna 208B (2004)
Tail Number
N617ST
Operator
Sartec
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA089

The commercial pilot was conducting a cross-country business flight. He landed the airplane and then taxied to the ramp. The pilot instructed the passengers to remain seated and then deplaned to attach the tailstand, at which point the airplane tipped back and struck the pavement with its tail. The pilot reboarded and instructed the passengers to leave their seats and move forward, and the airplane righted itself. The forward bulkhead for the horizontal stabilizer attachment point was crushed and torn, and three stringers, another bulkhead, and the lower skin were damaged in the accident. The center of gravity (CG) was calculated postaccident based on the available weight and balance data, and it was aft of the CG limit. It is likely that the pilot did not properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and CG, which resulted in the airplane tipping backward as the pilot attempted to attach the tailstand.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and center of gravity, which resulted in the tail striking the ground.

Full Narrative

On November 11, 2015, about 0950 central standard time, a Cessna 208B, N617ST, tipped back and the tail struck the pavement while parked at the ramp at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. The pilot and nine passengers on board were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sartec Corporation, Anoka, Minnesota, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Anoka, Minnesota, approximately 0730, and was destined for KGFK.According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector's statement and the pilot's loss statement, the airplane had landed and had taxied to the ramp. As the pilot got out of the airplane, he instructed the passengers to remain seated. As he deplaned to attach the tail stand, the airplane tipped back and struck the pavement with its tail. The pilot re-boarded and instructed the passengers to leave their seats and move forward. The airplane righted itself. The inspector said the forward bulkhead for the horizontal stabilizer attachment point was crushed and torn, and three stringers, another bulkhead, and the lower skin were damaged. The inspector stated that because of the uncooperative attitude of the pilot, most of their data was derived from the airplane's registered owner, insurance company, and repair facility. In his report, the inspector wrote: "Passenger information included a seating chart showing the location and weights of each individual. Aircraft information included W&B (weight and balance) data and loading chart from the AFM (Airplane Flight Manual) and seat CG (center of gravity) location from STC'd (Supplemental Type Certificate) interior data. Fuel load was derived from [the] pilot's statement on the insurance loss statement, which was 800 pounds. With that information a weight and balance was calculated and the aircraft's center of gravity (CG) was found to be aft of the aft CG limit."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:50 CST
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN617ST
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSartec
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-114A · Turboprop · 675 | Pratt & Whitney · PT6A-114A · Turboprop · 675
Seats11

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (10 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured10
Total10
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 12 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time15:03
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data