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

November 2, 1997 · Cessna 402B · N69312

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (7 uninjured)
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 402B
Tail Number
N69312
Operator
Air Flight
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA98LA019

The pilot was on approach for landing when the right main landing gear did not indicate that it was down. The pilot made a go-around and remained in left closed traffic performing emergency gear extension procedures with negative results. The pilot departed closed traffic and proceeded off shore to burn off fuel before attempting an emergency landing. A company airplane was dispatched to verify the landing gear position. The pilot started a straight in approach for landing five miles from the airport. The right engine started surging and quit. The left engine started surging one mile from the runway. He switched fuel tanks. The engine started and quit. He made a forced landing straight ahead and collided with runway approach lights about 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. The pilot stated he ran out of fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper management of fuel resulting in a total loss of engine power on both engines due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On November 2, 1997, about 1745 eastern standard time, a Cessna 402B, N69312, registered to Donovan Aircraft Inc., leased to Air Flight, operating as a 14 CFR Part 135 passenger flight, crashed on a visual approach to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The airline transport pilot and six passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Andros Town, Bahamas, about 1 hour 50 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he departed Fort Lauderdale with about 3 hours 30 minutes of fuel and made two intermediate stops before returning to Fort Lauderdale. No fuel was purchased. While making a visual approach to runway 27 left at Fort Lauderdale, he noticed the right main landing gear did not indicate that it was down. He notified tower, initiated a go-around, remained in left closed traffic, and performed the emergency procedures with negative results. Tower was informed that he was departing closed traffic and that he would circle offshore to burn fuel and contact his company operations. Another company airplane was dispatched to his location and verified the landing gear problem. The pilot started an approach to runway 27 left. The right engine started to surge about 5 miles from the runway. He switched the fuel tanks to crossfeed, and the engine quit. The left engine started surging about 1 mile from the end of the runway. He switched the fuel tanks to the left auxiliary fuel tank. The engine started to run and quit. The pilot made a forced landing straight ahead and collided with approach lights about 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. The pilot stated to the FAA, "I ran out of fuel."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EST
Nearest AirportFt Lauderdale-Hollywood (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 402B
Tail NumberN69312
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAir Flight
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (7 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured7
Total7
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Altimeter0
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data