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

April 15, 1994 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6380W

Raleigh, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Raleigh, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6380W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL94LA081

AFTER FLYING THREE AND ONE HALF HOURS, THE PILOT DIVERTED TO AN AIRPORT SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT FOR FUEL. ABOUT THREE MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE QUIT, AND ATTEMPTS BY THE PILOT TO RESTORE ENGINE POWER FAILED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WOODED AREA SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS RUPTURED. A FEW DROPS OF FUEL WERE RECOVERED FROM THE GASCOLATOR. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE RIGHT POSITION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FORGOT TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT POSITION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT FUEL PLANNING THAT RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

Full Narrative

On April 14, 1994, at 2157 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N6380W, collided with trees during a forced landing, about 3 miles northeast of the Raleigh-Durham Airport, Raleigh, North Carolina. Visual conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal, night flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. The airplane was destroyed; the pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed the Allegheny County Airport, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at 1830 hours. According to the pilot, he diverted into Raleigh to refuel, but while on final the engine quit. The pilot elected to leave the fuel selector on the right tank; the right fuel gauge showed approximately one half tank of fuel. Attempts to restore full engine power failed, and the pilot selected an area along the final approach course to runway 23R for a forced landing. Examination of the airplane disclosed that the left fuel tank was half full and the right tank was ruptured. A few drops of fuel was recovered from the gascolator assembly. During an interview with the pilot, he stated that he forgot to change the fuel selector before the engine quit.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:57 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6380W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data