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

March 1, 2025 · Vans RV7 · N902T

Matheson, CO

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 2025
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Matheson, CO
Aircraft
Vans RV7 (2016)
Tail Number
N902T
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN25FA106

On March 1, 2025, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV7 experimental airplane, N902T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Matheson, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed from Colorado Air and Spaceport (CFO), about 0946. The airplane climbed to about 7,500 mean sea level (msl), and flew to Southeast Colorado Regional Airport, (LAA), arriving about 1030 and refueled. ADS-B data showed the airplane depart LAA about 1136. The flight track showed the airplane fly in a direct direction toward CFO with no major turns or maneuvers. The altitude was ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 above ground level (agl), and the airspeed was generally about 160 knots ground speed. About 1204, the airplane began a slow climb to about 7,000 ft msl for rising terrain. About 1206, the airplane began a descent to about 6,700 ft msl, began a right turn and continued a steady descent. The right turn was about 2.7 degrees per second and remained constant. After about 54 degrees of turn, the airplane had descended to about 800 ft agl prior to the ADS-B data ending. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the pilot during the entire flight. A person who was working outside her home near the accident site heard the airplane flying and then heard a thud type sound. She did not see the airplane and called emergency responders. Examination of the accident site revealed that the impact was consistent with a shallow, high-speed impact, about wings level. The initial impact points were ground scars consistent with the landing gear. The debris field extended about 560 ft from the initial ground scars to the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was found between the initial ground scars and the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was separated at the crankshaft. The separated crankshaft showed torsional twisting consistent with rotation at impact. The propeller blades were bent and twisted consistent with rotation at impact. The engine was located about 415 ft from the main wreckage. The engine side of the fractured crankshaft showed torsional twisting consistent with rotation. Initial examination of the engine did not show any pre-impact anomalies. The entire debris field, from the initial impact ground scars to the engine was about 975 ft, on an approximate bearing of 010 degrees magnetic, and the bearing was consistent with the last in-flight ADS-B data points. Examination of the main wreckage showed that the primary flight cables and surface controls were connected and showed no pre-impact anomalies. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.

Full Narrative

On March 1, 2025, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV7 experimental airplane, N902T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Matheson, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed from Colorado Air and Spaceport (CFO), about 0946. The airplane climbed to about 7,500 mean sea level (msl), and flew to Southeast Colorado Regional Airport, (LAA), arriving about 1030 and refueled. ADS-B data showed the airplane depart LAA about 1136. The flight track showed the airplane fly in a direct direction toward CFO with no major turns or maneuvers. The altitude was ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 above ground level (agl), and the airspeed was generally about 160 knots ground speed. About 1204, the airplane began a slow climb to about 7,000 ft msl for rising terrain. About 1206, the airplane began a descent to about 6,700 ft msl, began a right turn and continued a steady descent. The right turn was about 2.7 degrees per second and remained constant. After about 54 degrees of turn, the airplane had descended to about 800 ft agl prior to the ADS-B data ending. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the pilot during the entire flight. A person who was working outside her home near the accident site heard the airplane flying and then heard a thud type sound. She did not see the airplane and called emergency responders. Examination of the accident site revealed that the impact was consistent with a shallow, high-speed impact, about wings level. The initial impact points were ground scars consistent with the landing gear. The debris field extended about 560 ft from the initial ground scars to the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was found between the initial ground scars and the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was separated at the crankshaft. The separated crankshaft showed torsional twisting consistent with rotation at impact. The propeller blades were bent and twisted consistent with rotation at impact. The engine was located about 415 ft from the main wreckage. The engine side of the fractured crankshaft showed torsional twisting consistent with rotation. Initial examination of the engine did not show any pre-impact anomalies. The entire debris field, from the initial impact ground scars to the engine was about 975 ft, on an approximate bearing of 010 degrees magnetic, and the bearing was consistent with the last in-flight ADS-B data points. Examination of the main wreckage showed that the primary flight cables and surface controls were connected and showed no pre-impact anomalies. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans RV7
Tail NumberN902T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 9 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 16 F
Altimeter30.08 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data