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 14, 1999 · Piper PA-46-350P · N345RP

Laurens, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Laurens, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-46-350P
Tail Number
N345RP
Operator
Ralph F Patterson Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA052

According to the pilot, after the touchdown on runway 26, the pilot reported that the braking action did not appear to slow the landing roll speed and a tailwind was encountered on the roll out. The pilot then pulled back on the yoke, at which point the airplane climbed up slightly on the left side and impacted the ground. The airplane began to skid and continued off the left side of the wet runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane and a review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, the prevailing winds at the approximate time of the accident were 020 degrees at five knots with gusts to 19 knots. The pilot landed with a tailwind component.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's disregard for current wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were the tailwind and wet runway surface.

Full Narrative

On March 14, 1999, at 1550, eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N345RP, collided with the ground, according to the pilot, during the landing roll at the Laurens County Airport in Laurens, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Instrument weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the airplane sustained substantial airframe damage. The commercial pilot and his five passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that the flight departed Darlington, South Carolina, at 1500. According to the pilot, upon arriving at the Laurens County Airport, he established a final approach to runway 26. After the touchdown on the wet runway surface, the pilot reported that the braking action did not appear to slow the landing roll speed and a tailwind was encountered. The pilot then pulled back on the yoke, at which point the airplane climbed up slightly on the left side and impacted the ground. The airplane began to skid and continued off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, the prevailing winds at the approximate time of the accident were 020 degrees at five knots with gusts to 19 knots. According to the pilot, the airplane sustained substantial damage consisting of, bending of both left and right main wing spars, damage to the engine firewall, twisting of the fuselage, and separation of the nosewheel from the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 EST
Nearest AirportLaurens County (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-46-350P
Tail NumberN345RP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRalph F Patterson Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-AEZA · Reciprocating · 350
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility1.2 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data