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, 1999 · Piper J3C-65 · N92350

Denton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Denton, TX
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N92350
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA088

The airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power on takeoff. The airline transport pilot receiving instruction was on the controls of the airplane for the takeoff. At an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the engine lost power, and the certified flight instructor took control. The flight instructor turned the airplane left to avoid a steel rail fence at the end of the runway. During the turn, the left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane turned 180 degrees and came to rest. A mechanic, who examined the airplane, attributed the loss of engine power to a broken throttle control cable clamp. The broken clamp was made of aluminum; however, a steel clamp was specified by the airframe manufacturer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power on takeoff resulting from the failure of an incorrect throttle control cable clamp, which was installed by an unknown person. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On March 1, 1999, at 1515 central standard time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N92350, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from Hartlee Field Airport near Denton, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the airline transport pilot receiving instruction was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that the "check out" flight departed Lakeview Airport, Lake Dallas, Texas, about 1440 and proceeded to Hartlee Field. Following a full stop landing, with the pilot receiving instruction on the controls, a takeoff was initiated to the north. According to the flight instructor, "at approximately 100 feet the engine power completely disappeared." The flight instructor took control and turned the airplane approximately 45 degrees left to avoid a steel rail fence at the end of the runway. While the airplane was in the turn, the left wing tip struck the ground. The airplane turned 180 degrees and came to rest heading south approximately 50 feet from the wing touchdown point and 150 feet west of the runway centerline. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the left wing, main landing gear, propeller, engine, and firewall were damaged. A mechanic examined the airplane and found "the throttle control cable housing free, due to a broken attaching clamp." The mechanic reported that the broken clamp was made of aluminum; however, a steel clamp, Piper P/N 7536, "should have been used." The mechanic further reported that "the clamp appeared to have been fretting for some time, due to the appearance of the edges, but the main break looked fresh." He did not think the impact broke the clamp, "because when [he] held the cable assembly in its proper place, it was relaxed, with no strain, even though the airframe was bent in that area." The mechanic found no other anomalies during his examination of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CST
Nearest AirportHartlee Field (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN92350
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 1 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data