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

December 11, 1996 · Cessna 340 · N999JW

El Dorado, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
El Dorado, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 340
Tail Number
N999JW
Operator
Douglas L Franklin
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA059

The pilot stated that he was "approximately 100 feet short of the runway and approximately 35-50 feet above the ground, [when the] right wing went up, then [the] left wing struck the tarmac." Two witnesses stated that the winds were "gusty" at the time of the accident. After the accident, the pilot stated that he thought he had encountered an unexpected gust of wind during short final. He estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots or greater. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing and collapsed left main and nose gear. Ground scars with aircraft paint transfers were found approximately 27 feet left of runway centerline. The pilot and an FAA inspector noted that grass was overgrowing the edges of the runway (approximately 8-12 feet on each side). No mechanical anomalies with the aircraft were found that would have contributed to the accident. The accident occurred at dusk; the runway lights were operational.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty wind was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On December 10, 1996, approximately 1755 central standard time, a Cessna 340A, N999JW, owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Eldorado Municipal Airport, Eldorado, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at 1500 from Fort Smith, Arkansas and had been airborne approximately 3 hours prior to the accident. According to the pilot, while on a two mile final for runway 17, the aircraft was "blown off center to the east." He stated that subsequent alignment corrections were made "easily." Flaps were extended to 30 degrees. The pilot further stated that he was "approximately 100 feet short of the runway and approximately 35-50 feet above the ground [when the] right wing went up, then [the] left wing struck the tarmac." Two witnesses, who were playing golf nearby, stated that the winds were "gusty" at the time of the accident. In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he thought that he encountered an unexpected gust of wind during short final. He estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots or greater. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the left wing, and collapsed left main and nose gear. Ground scars with aircraft paint transfers were found approximately 27 feet left of runway centerline. The FAA inspector and pilot also noted that grass was overgrowing the edges of the runway (approximately 8-12 feet on each side). Grass had overgrown laterally to the center of the "1" and the center of the "7" identifying the runway as "17". No mechanical anomalies with the aircraft were found that would have contributed to the accident event. The runway lights were operational.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 CST
Nearest AirportELDORADO (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length3150 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 340
Tail NumberN999JW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDouglas L Franklin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind190° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 39 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data