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

August 9, 1994 · Piper PA-34-200 · N234KB

Marion, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Location
Marion, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N234KB
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI94LA271

THE PILOT POSITIONED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY IN PREPARATION FOR TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED HE LINED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY TO DEPART ON THE GRASS IN ORDER TO AVOID AN AREA OF LOOSE GRAVEL WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO STATEMENTS FROM SEVERAL OF THE PASSENGERS ABOARD THE AIRPLANE, THE WINDSHIELD OF THE AIRPLANE WAS COMPLETELY OBSCURED WITH FROST DURING TAXI AND ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. AFTER APPLYING FULL POWER FOR TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT THEN APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER AND SCANNED THE INSTRUMENTS. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING IMPACTED AN AIRPLANE WHICH WAS PARKED ALONG SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. A SECOND AND THIRD IMPACT OCCURRED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED AIRPLANES BEFORE THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PRELIGHT AND HIS FAILURE TO REMOVE THE FROST FROM THE WINDSHIELD WHICH OBSTRUCTED HIS VIEW.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 1994, at 0710 central daylight time, a Piper PA-34- 200, N234KB, registered to P and N Corporation of Marion, Iowa, was destroyed when it struck several parked airplanes during an attempted takeoff at Marion, Iowa. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and two passengers reported no injuries, the two other passengers aboard reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 135, and originated in Marion, Iowa, with an intended destination of Kansas City, Missouri. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after completing the engine run up, he positioned the airplane on the runway 17 (2770' x 100') in preparation for takeoff. He stated he lined the airplane on the right side of the runway to depart on the grass in order to avoid an area of loose asphalt located at the north end of the runway. The pilot stated the airplane veered to the left after he applied full power. He applied right rudder and started to scan the engine instruments. When he looked up he saw the parked airplanes which lined the edge of the runway. The left wing of N234KB impacted a parked airplane. After this first impact, N234KB impacted a second parked airplane, spun around, and impacted the right elevator of a third parked airplane. According to a statement made by the passenger who was seated in the right front seat, he observed an excessive amount of dew on the front windshield when he boarded the airplane. He stated there was sufficient moisture to totally obscure any view directly ahead of the aircraft. When he questioned the pilot about the frost prior to taxi, the pilot responded that the defrosters would be operable in a few minutes. The passenger stated the windshield was still obscured while the pilot taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff. The pilot then applied full power for takeoff. At this time, the passenger became very concerned that he was still unable to see out of the windshield. He was however able to see out the side window and it appeared to him that the airplane was not lined up correctly on the runway. The passenger tried to alert the pilot that they were off course, but at this time the initial impact with the first parked airplane occurred. Statements from two other passengers aboard N234KB, also reported they observed that the windshield was completely fogged over preventing any view outside. They stated the airplane was off the centerline of the runway as the pilot began the takeoff roll. The passenger, who was seated directly behind the pilot, stated it was only after the initial impact that he heard a reduction in engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:10 CDT
Nearest AirportMARION (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN234KB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured3
Total5
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data