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 28, 1994 · Cessna 207 · N29CF

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 28, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 207
Tail Number
N29CF
Operator
Spernak Airways
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ANC94IA049

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOOSE POWER. NO UNUSUAL NOISE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANOMALY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE NO. 4 PISTON. THE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON WAS CONSISTENT WITH DETONATION AND SUBSEQUENT RING BREAKAGE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE NO. 4 PISTON FROM OVER TEMPERATURE (DETONATION).

Full Narrative

On March 28, 1994, at 1420 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, owned and operated by Spernak Airways, Inc., experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The airline transport certificated pilot-in-command performed an emergency landing on Sleeper Strip, a private strip located about 4 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska, that is not maintained during the winter. The pilot and his three revenue passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained minor damage. The 14 CFR Part 135 on demand flight last departed Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1415 and the intended destination was Beluga, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect. The pilot-in-command told the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a personal interview that the airplane was in stabilized cruise flight at an altitude of approximately 1000 feet above the ground when the engine began to run rough and loose power to the point where he could no longer maintain altitude. There were no metallic sounds associated with the engine anomaly. Examination of the engine, a Teledyne Continental IO-540-F, by the NTSB investigator-in-charge revealed substantial damage to the upper surface of the No. 4 cylinder. The cylinder and its associated connecting rod were forwarded to the NTSB's metallurgical laboratory in Washington, D.C. for examination and analysis. The metallurgist's factual report and analysis report are contained in the incident report package.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:20 AKST
Nearest AirportSleeper Strip (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 207
Tail NumberN29CF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorSpernak Airways
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data