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

May 5, 1996 · Cessna 152 · N25414

Harwinton, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1996
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Harwinton, CT
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25414
Operator
Atlantic Air
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA096

Water was found in the fuel tanks during preflight, and additional draining was accomplished until no more water appeared. The pilots boarded the airplane and initiated a takeoff, at which time, the engine sputtered, and the takeoff was aborted. After the airplane cleared the runway, the engine lost total power; attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The airplane was pushed to the operator's hangar where the operator inspected the airplane. Additional water was found in the tanks, which was drained, then the engine was run. The operator said the airplane was, '...OK to fly...', and the pilots boarded the airplane for departure. Once they were airborne, about 200 feet high, the engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a power line and descended to the ground where it nosed over. When the airplane was placed upright, additional water was found in the tanks. Examination of the fuel farm, where the airplane was refueled, revealed the filter was collapsed, and the fuel was contaminated with water. The FAA reported the operator did not have a fuel management program in place or the appropriate equipment to maintain a fuel farm. According to the airplane manufacturer, '...If excessive sampling is required, the recommended procedure is to completely defuel, drain and clean the airplane fuel system, and attempt to discover where and how the contamination originated before the airplane flys again....'

NTSB Probable Cause

the operator's failure to eliminate water-contaminated fuel from the airplane, which resulted in the loss of engine power and collision with an obstacle during the forced landing. Also causal was an improperly maintained fuel storage facility.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 1996, at 1017 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N25414, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Harwinton, Connecticut. The commercial pilot/flight instructor and pre-solo student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local dual instruction flight, which originated at Mountain Meadows Airstrip, Harwinton, about 1 minute prior to the accident, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the flight instructor reported that during the pre-flight examination of the airplane, water was found in the fuel tanks by the student pilot. The student pilot continued to drain the sumps until no more water was found. On takeoff roll, the engine sputtered and the takeoff was aborted. As the airplane rolled clear of the runway, the engine quit. Unable to restart the engine, the pilots pushed the airplane back to the hanger where it was inspected by the owner who was a licensed aircraft mechanic. Additional water was drained from the tanks, and then the engine was run. According to the flight instructor, the mechanic told the pilots, "...it was OK to fly...." The pilots then taxied for departure again, and after becoming airborne, and at about 200 feet high, the engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a power line and landed nose low in a field and nosed over. According to an FAA written report, After the airplane was placed upright, additional amounts of water were found when the wing tanks were drained. The airplane had been refueled with 16.5 gallons on May 4, 1996, along with two other aircraft. A check of the other aircraft found water in their tanks. A check of the fuel farm found the fuel filter was collapsed, and bypassing water. The FAA report also stated, "...The operator didn't have a fuel management program in place and no fuel sumping records were found. The operator did not have the appropriate equipment to maintain a fuel farm or appear to have the training required to operate a fuel farm safely." According to the Cessna Pilot Safety and Warning Supplement; Proper Sampling from Quick Drains; "...If excessive sampling is required, the recommended procedure is to completely defuel, drain and clean the airplane fuel system, and attempt to discover where or how the contamination originated before the airplane flys again...." Although the pilot referred to the owner as a "...licensed aircraft mechanic....", the FAA reported that he did not hold a mechanic certificate.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:17 EDT
Nearest AirportMountain Meadows (1nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length3420 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25414
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAtlantic Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data