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

February 13, 1996 · Piper PA-32-300 · N8951N

Windermere, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Windermere, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N8951N
Operator
Florida Dept of Agriculture
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL96TA047

The flight departed Kissimmee, Florida, on a forest fire spotting mission. The engine began to run rough and lost power. The airplane landed in an orange grove, striking a tree. An engine examination revealed that improper connecting rod bolts had been used in the engine. The bolts in two connecting rods failed, resulting in the failure of the engine. Investigation determined that the bolts were manufactured in the '80s and became available in the U.S. market in February 1994. The bolts were obtained by a repair station in June 1994 and installed in connecting rod assemblies that were in storage. The overhaul date on the work order for the stored rod assemblies was not changed at that time, and it continued to indicate an overhaul date of 2/9/94. The stored rod assemblies were then installed in the engine during an overhaul in October 1994. In March 1995, an AD was issued to inspect engines with connecting rod bolts installed on or since 2/15/94. The AD was not complied with on the engine because the repair station certified that the rod assemblies had been overhauled on 2/9/94, before the effective date of the AD.

NTSB Probable Cause

the use of improper connecting rod bolts, failure of the overhaul facility to record the correct overhaul date on the work orders for the stored connecting rod assemblies, and subsequent failure of the connecting rod bolts.

Full Narrative

On February 13, 1996, about 1304 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8951N, collided with a tree during a forced landing at Windermere, Florida. The aircraft was operated by the Florida Department of Agriculture under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the public use flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft departed Kissimmee Airport, Kissimmee, Florida, at 1100 on the same day. The pilot stated that while in cruise flight on a forest fire spotting mission, the engine began to run roughly, vibrating the entire aircraft. Oil started spraying from the engine onto the windscreen, then the engine quit. The pilot executed an emergency landing, touching down in an orange grove, and collided with a tree. An engine examination revealed that bogus connecting rod bolts had been used in the engine. The bolts in two connecting rods failed, resulting in the failure of the engine. Investigation determined that the bolts were manufactured in the 1980s, and became available in the Unites States market on February 15, 1994. The bolts were obtained by the repair station in June, 1994, and installed in connecting rod assemblies that were in storage. The overhaul date on the work order for the stored rod assemblies was not changed at that time, and continued to indicate an overhaul date of February 9, 1994. The stored rod assemblies were then installed in the engine during an overhaul in October 28, 1994. On March 17, 1995, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-07-01 was issued to inspect engines with connecting rod bolts installed on or since February 15, 1994. The AD was not complied with on the engine because the repair station certified that the rod assemblies had been overhauled on February 9, 1994, before the effective date of the AD. The FAA conducted an investigation to locate and remove from the system all defective connecting rod bolts from the original manufacturer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:04 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN8951N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlorida Dept of Agriculture
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:59
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data