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

October 23, 1994 · Piper PA-28-181 · N90875

Bloomington, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Bloomington, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N90875
Operator
Clark Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA021

THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND BEGAN A DESCENT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING APPROACH TO A PLOWED FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing which resulted in a stall. A factor related to the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On October 23, 1994, at 1312 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-181, N90875, operated by Clark Aviation and flown by a private pilot, collided with rough terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The airplane was on an extended final approach for landing at the Bloomington-Normal Airport when the accident occurred. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries. Both passengers on board were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operating under a flight plan. The personal flight originated from Danville, Illinois, at 1205 cdt. The pilot departed Bloomington, flew to Danville, and was returning to Bloomington when the accident occurred. The airplane was topped off with fuel prior to departing for Danville and had flown for approximately 2 hours prior to the accident. When 15 miles east of the Bloomington Airport, the pilot was instructed to fly a straight-in approach for runway 29. He reported he reduced the power to 1,500 rpm to initiate a descent 5 miles from the airport. He stated he applied carburetor heat, verified the mixture was rich and that the fuel pump was on. When reaching an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot reported, he advanced the throttle in an attempt to stop the descent, however, the engine did not respond accordingly. The pilot attempted to regain engine power to no avail. The pilot reported he set the airplane up for an off-airport forced landing into a plowed field. He reported that the airplane "lost lift approximately 20 feet above the ground." A post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by an Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector. This inspector reported, "There was nothing apparent found that would have caused a loss of engine power." (See Inspector's Statement)

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:12 CDT
Nearest AirportBloomington-Normal (1nm ESE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN90875
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorClark Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data