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 16, 1995 · Piper PA-28-140 · N44784

Bolivar, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bolivar, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N44784
Operator
Alec S Bari
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA158

The student pilot was on his second supervised solo flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered left, departed the runway, and collided with a ditch. The student reported that the nose wheel began shimmying during the takeoff, and that he was unable to stop the airplane's drift. According to the instructor, who was observing the takeoff, the student delayed reducing the engine power when the airplane began drifting off of the runway. The owner reported that the nose wheel had been inspected by a mechanic on the same day, prior to the flight. A postaccident examination of the nose gear assembly did not reveal any deficiencies that would have affected its operation prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper use of the throttle.

Full Narrative

On August 16, 1995, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N44784, collided with a ditch during the takeoff roll from the William L. Whitehurst Field, Bolivar, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisionsof 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for thesupervised, solo, instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Therewere no injuries to the student pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged.The airplane had departed about 1200 from Jackson, Tennessee. The student was conducting his second supervised solo flight. He and his instructor had flown from Jackson, Tennessee, to Bolivar, and the instructor had exited the airplane to allow the solo flight. According to the owner of the airplane, the student reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane had a nose wheel shimmy and began veering left. He stated that he was unable to arrest the course departure with right rudder input. A statement from the instructor, who was observing the takeoff, indicated that the rudder was displaced toward the right as the airplane departed the runway. The instructor also stated that the student delayed reducing the power when the airplane began veering off the runway. The owner said that a mechanic had inspected the airplane the same morning, for a previous report of a nose wheel shimmy, and no abnormalities had been discovered. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be calm. Following the accident, the airplane was examined by an airworthiness inspector from the Memphis, Tennessee, Flight Standards District Office. He reported that he discovered no discrepancies with the nose landing gear.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CDT
Nearest AirportWhitehurst Field (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length4004 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN44784
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlec S Bari
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 140
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data