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 28, 1996 · Temco D-16A · N128N

Hainesport, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hainesport, NJ
Aircraft
Temco D-16A
Tail Number
N128N
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA176

The multi-engine airplane was observed by witnesses flying over a New Jersey airport in a northerly direction. Later, a witness north of the airport observed it flying in a southerly direction, with the landing gear extended. This witness heard the engines 'cutting in and out.' Subsequently, the airplane collided with terrain in an open field, about 3/4 of a mile north of the airport. Both engine propellers were found feathered; no fuel was found in the airplane's fuel tanks. The student pilot/owner was based in Arkansas. He had purchased the airplane at an airport in Arkansas during July 1996. The student first received dual flight instruction in 1960, and soloed during December 1993. After a 6 hour dual cross-country flight in February 1994, the student was approved for solo cross-country flights to two airports. That was the last dual instruction that he received. Between February 1994 and February 1996, the student logged over 230 hours of solo flight time, of which over 95 hours were solo cross-country to numerous airports, several over 800 miles from his base airport. The student had no record of multi-engine flight instruction, and he had not logged any multi-engine flight time.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and inadequate management of fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 1996, at 1715 eastern daylight time, a Temco D-16A, a Twin Navion, N128N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hainesport, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, witnesses reported that they observed the airplane fly over the South Jersey Regional Airport (7MY), Mount Holly, New Jersey, in a northerly direction. One witness north of 7MY observed the airplane flying in a southerly direction with the landing gear extended, and heard the engines "cutting in and out." The airplane collided with terrain in an open field, about 3/4 mile north of 7MY. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. The landing gear had been extended, and the propellers of both engines were in the feathered position. Residual fuel was observed in the airplane's five fuel tanks. The student pilot (SP) had based the airplane at the Heber Springs Airport, Heber Springs, Arkansas. The pilot had purchased the airplane during July 1996, in Searcy, Arkansas. The FAA records revealed that the student pilot had passed a private pilot written examination in January 1996. The SP's log book revealed that his initial flight instruction began in 1960, and the last entry was during February 1996. From June through August 1960, the SP had received about 9 hours of dual flight instruction. The next flying occurred between October 1977, and March 1978, where the SP received another 10.5 hours of dual flight instruction. The SP's flying resumed again in November 1993. He received 17 hours of dual flight instruction, and completed his first solo flight on December 11, 1993. He flew a 3.5 hours solo flight on December 24, 1993, and received another 3 hours of dual instruction on December 25, 1993. His next flight occurred on February 20, 1994, when he completed a 6 hour dual instruction cross country flight. At that time the SP was signed off for solo cross country between Heber Springs and two other airports, Balder County and DeKlab, Illinois. That was the last flight instruction noted in the remarks section of the log book. The back of the log book contained four entries for solo rechecks, which extended solo privileges for 90 days each. The last extension was dated March 1995. Between February 20, 1994, and the last entry, February 21, 1996, the SP logged over 230 hours of solo flight, of which over 95 hours were solo night cross country. Numerous flight were made to airports in DeKlab, Danville, Freeport, Metropolis, Peoria, Streater, and Vandalia, Illinois; Hobart, Indiana; Bismark, and Piedmont, Missouri; Brownsville and Houston, Texas; in addition to Batesville, Waldron and Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The pilot had no record of multi engine flight instruction received, or multi engine experience logged.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportSouth Jersey Regional (1nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length3911 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTemco D-16A
Tail NumberN128N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-340-A1A · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data