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

September 29, 1995 · Piper PA-28-161 · N3203Q

Rutland, VT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Rutland, VT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N3203Q
Operator
Pierre Gourinchas
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA230

The pilot landed at Rutland, and the airplane was refueled prior to departure. The pilot departed runway 13. During takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing, during which, the airplane impacted a tree and a barn. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded rough during takeoff and that the airplane would not climb. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction with the engine. Additionally, the airport fuel and airplane's fuel were sampled, and no discrepancies were noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with a tree and barn.

Full Narrative

On September 29, 1995, about 1455 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N3203Q, collided with a tree during a forced landing, following the takeoff, at the Rutland Airport, Rutland, Vermont. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot landed at Rutland, and the airplane was refueled. The pilot then started the engine and taxied to runway 13 for departure. During the takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a tree and barn. Additionally, witnesses reported that the engine sounded rough during the takeoff roll, and the airplane did not climb more than 10' above the ground during the initial takeoff climb. One witness stated: ...I heard what sounded like a four cylinder engine running on two or three cylinders. When the sound got closer, I saw that it was coming from an aircraft (Cherokee or similar) departing runway 13. At the departure end of the runway it was only a few feet above the ground and not climbing. It continued on runway heading for less than a mile when it went out of sight.... The FAA Inspector examined the fuel at the airport and in the airplane and found no discrepancies. Additionally, postaccident examination by the FAA Inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction of the engine. At the time of the accident, the pilot had a total of 80 flight hours. The pilot was requested by the FAA and the NTSB to submit the NTSB Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2. To this date, no such form has been received.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 EDT
Nearest AirportRutland State (0nm SE)
Runway13
Runway Length3170 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN3203Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPierre Gourinchas
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 11 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data