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

September 29, 2023 · Beech A36 · N9379Q

Broken Bow, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Broken Bow, OK
Aircraft
Beech A36 (1972)
Tail Number
N9379Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA423

While on approach to land, the pilot watched for tractors that were bailing hay. During the landing flare, the pilot saw an airport grounds worker mowing the grass next to the right side of the runway. He attempted to avoid the worker by pulling back on the control yoke. The airplane drifted to the right, touched down, and the right wing struck the worker, who was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The worker was mowing along the edge of runway, which was 50 ft. wide. The wingspan of the airplane was 33 ft 6 inches; therefore, the centerline of the airplane would have to have been at least 8 ft 3 inches to the right of the runway centerline to place the right wingtip directly over the runway edge. The pilot did not adequately compensate for the crosswind during landing, and the airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline during landing and landing roll, which resulted in the airplane striking the grounds worker. According to the airport manager, the worker was not scheduled to be mowing at the airport on the day of the accident, and he was unaware that she elected to begin mowing at the airport. He was also unaware that Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) should be issued, and no NOTAM had been issued for the mowing or hay bailing operations being conducted at the airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline during landing and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the airport grounds worker during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the absence of a NOTAM for mowing operations at the time of the accident.

Full Narrative

On September 29, 2023, about 1425 central daylight time, a Beech A36 airplane, N9379Q, was involved in an accident while landing at Broken Bow Airport (90F), near Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The pilot was not injured. An airport grounds worker was fatally injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A worker was mowing the grass along the west side of runway 17 at 90F and was traveling toward the south. The airplane landed on runway 17 and was rolling out when the right wing struck the worker, resulting in fatal injuries. At the time of the accident there was also a work crew bailing hay about 1,000 ft south of the worker on the opposite side of the runway. There were no Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) active for the mowing or hay bailing operations being conducted at the airport. According to the pilot, while on approach to land, the pilot watched for tractors that were bailing hay. He set up for a straight-in approach for runway 17 and made several position reports on the Universal Communications frequency. While on final approach, he identified that the runway environment was clear and continued. During the landing flare, he saw a small black riding lawnmower on the right side of the runway. The pilot pulled back on the control yoke, and the airplane drifted to the right of runway centerline due to a crosswind. The main landing gear touched down and he pulled back on the control yoke again to avoid the mower; however, the right wing struck the grounds worker. The pilot reported that the right wing received substantial damage due to the impact. According to a local law enforcement report of the accident, the grounds worker was mowing on the edge of the runway when she was struck by the airplane. According to Federal Aviation Administration chart supplements, the runway width was 50 ft. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the Beech A36 airplane has a wingspan of 33 ft 6 inches. The airport manager was contacted through legal representatives and reported that the grounds worker had been instructed to mow in the cemetery across the street and that after she completed mowing that area, she voluntarily and without direction, moved to the airport and began mowing. It was confirmed that a NOTAM was not issued to advise pilots that mowing would be in progress because the airport manager was not aware that the worker would be mowing at the airport. The airport manager was also not aware that NOTAMs needed to be issued since the airport did not receive any federal funding. After the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector provided counseling to the airport manager regarding best practices including NOTAM issuance, use of high visibility devices for the workers and vehicles, and communication radio usage. All the suggested improvements were implemented by the city following the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportBroken Bow Municipal Airport (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN9379Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data