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 21, 1994 · Schreiber-Stitts SA-3B · N79GJ

Muscatine, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Muscatine, IA
Aircraft
Schreiber-Stitts SA-3B
Tail Number
N79GJ
Operator
Robert L Schreiber
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA295

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT BUT THE ENGINE LOST MORE POWER AND THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL ROAD. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED A VEHICLE ON THE ROAD THAT WAS COMING TOWARD HIM. HE SAID HE DECIDED TO LAND ONTO A SOY BEAN FIELD NEXT TO THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AS IT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE FIELD. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE'S NUMBER FOUR INTAKE PIPE WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED TO THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER.

NTSB Probable Cause

A LOOSE INTAKE MANIFOLD PIPE ON THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WHICH RESULTED FROM IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE BUILDER/PILOT IMPROPERLY INSTALLING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PIPE AND THE ALTERNATE LANDING AREA'S HIGH VEGETATION.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 1994, at 0900 central daylight time (cdt), a Schrieber-Stitts SA-3B, NX79GJ, registered to Robert L Schrieber of Muscatine, Iowa, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing. The pilot reported a partial power loss during initial climbout after takeoff. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Muscatine, Iowa, at 0855 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, his airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power as the airplane passed through 300 to 500 feet above the ground. He said he began a turn to return to the airport when the engine lost more power. He said he could not maintain altitude and chose a gravel road to land on. The pilot said he lined up on the road for his landing. When the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground, the pilot said he noticed a vehicle coming toward him. He said he changed his landing area to a bean field next to the road. The airplane contacted three foot high soy bean plants just before touch down. The airplane nosed over after touch down according to the pilot. An on-scene examination of the airplane revealed that the number four intake pipe had not seated properly against the engine's cylinder. The owner's written statement said the "Loose intake tube [caused] number four cylinder to run lean and intake valve to stick open." A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector stated, "The number four intake pipe... was removed and it was noted that the intake pipe seating marks in gasket... did not show a firm circumferential impression."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest AirportMuscatine Municipal (2nm NE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchreiber-Stitts SA-3B
Tail NumberN79GJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert L Schreiber
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290G · Reciprocating · 125
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:31

Appendix: Source Data