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 6, 1999 · Mooney 20G · N3588X

Naples, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 6, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Naples, FL
Aircraft
Mooney 20G
Tail Number
N3588X
Operator
Gulf Coast Airways
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA100

The flight was in the traffic pattern and the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. The pilot reported that he had completed a touch-and-go on runway 14, and on climb out was assigned a right hand traffic pattern. On crosswind the airplane's engine lost complete power. The pilot said, '...I pitched down and tried to restart the engine, on either tank using both the starter and windmilling.' He attempted to make a forced landing to a golf course, but decided on a road, because there were people on the golf course. The airplane landed on the road gear up, heading southbound, skidded forward, and the right wing struck two mailboxes. The airplane continued forward striking a tree, and separating a portion of the right wing. Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no fuel in the right main tank. No fuel was found in the carburetor, and the fuel selector was found in the 'OFF' position. About 10 gallons of fuel were found in the left tank. The left fuel system operated without discrepancies, and fuel flowed from the tank. No broken fuel lines were found, and the engine displayed no discrepancies. The airplane flew 1.7 hours before the flight on March 6, 1999. The airplane was last refueled on February 11, 1999. The FAA inspector wrote in his report, '...subsequent fuel calculations revealed that at the time of the accident, the right fuel tank would have been empty of usable fuel.' In addition the pilot said, '...that when the engine failed...that he had been flying on the right tank for approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident. He also stated that he tried to select the left fuel tank but it is possible that he may have selected the 'Off' position inadvertently.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper procedure by not placing the fuel selector on the tank with the most fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and a off airport forced landing. Contributing factors in this accident were the pilot's inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning.

Full Narrative

On March 6, 1999, about 1210 eastern standard time, a Mooney 20G, N3588X, registered to a private individual, crashed during a forced landing near Naples, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated at 1130. The flight was in the traffic pattern, and the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. The pilot reported that after completing a touch-and-go on runway 14, and on climbout was assigned a right hand traffic pattern by the control tower. On crosswind the airplane's engine lost complete power. The pilot said, "...I pitched [the nose] down and tried to restart the engine, on either tank using both the starter and windmilling." He attempted to make a forced landing to a golf course, but decided on a road, because there were people on the golf course. The airplane landed on the road gear up, heading southbound, skidded forward, and the right wing struck two mailboxes. The airplane continued forward striking a tree, and separating a portion of the right wing. Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no fuel in the right main tank. No fuel was found in the carburetor, and the fuel selector was found in the "OFF" position. About 10 gallons of fuel was found in the left tank. The left fuel system operated without discrepancies, and fuel flowed from the tank. No broken fuel lines were found, and the engine displayed no discrepancies. The airplane flew 1.7 hours before the flight on March 6, 1999. The airplane was last refueled on February 11, 1999. The FAA inspector wrote in his report, "...subsequent fuel calculations revealed that at the time of the accident, the right fuel tank would have been empty of usable fuel." According to the FAA inspector's report the pilot stated to him, "...that when the engine failed...that he had been flying on the right tank for approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident. He also stated that he tried to select the left fuel tank but it is possible that he may have selected the 'Off' position inadvertently."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 EST
Nearest AirportNaples Municipal (2nm SSW)
Runway14
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney 20G
Tail NumberN3588X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGulf Coast Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data