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 1, 1998 · Chinese A/F Aero Ind Dev Ctr PL-1B · N830JT

Sugar Grove, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sugar Grove, IL
Aircraft
Chinese A/F Aero Ind Dev Ctr PL-1B
Tail Number
N830JT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA089

The pilot said the airplane's '...engine stopped...' during initial climbout from takeoff. He said the fuel boost pump was 'ON' and that he checked the throttle and mixture for proper position. The pilot said he turned to avoid colliding with power lines and a road. He said the engine started and ran for about 3-seconds when the airplane was about 25 ft above the ground. The pilot said he banked the airplane toward runway 09, and the engine stopped a second time. He said he '...leveled the wings and let [the] plane settle in.' On-scene investigation revealed no preaccident mechanical anomaly with the airframe or engine that would have prevented flight. The spark plugs were black and sooty. The pilot said moderate rain was falling, and the temperature and dew point were 36 and 34 deg Fahrenheit, respectively. According to icing probability charts, the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to severe carburetor icing at cruise power. The airplane did not have a conventional carburetor heat system. Heat for the carburetor was obtained from the engine oil cooler that was about 14-inches forward and above the carburetor. Air flowing through the oil cooler was used to prevent carburetor ice by heating the carburetor's exterior.

NTSB Probable Cause

inadequate design of the carburetor heat system by the manufacturer, and subsequent carburetor ice, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: carburetor icing (weather) conditions, and obstructions and uneven terrain in the emergency landing area.

Full Narrative

On February 1, 1998, at 1515 central standard time (cst), a Chinese A/F Aero Industries Development PL-1B, N830JT, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with the ground while maneuvering for a forced landing. The pilot reported a total loss of engine power during the airplane's departure climb following takeoff from runway 18 at the Aurora Municipal Airport, Sugar Grove, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Sugar Grove, Illinois, at 1512 cst. The pilot said that he was doing touch and go landings with the accident occurring on his third or fourth time around. He said that he took off on runway 18 and started to climb. The pilot said that he was climbing out at 100-feet above the ground when the "... engine stopped... ." He said the boost pump was "ON" and that he checked the throttle, mixture, and boost pump selectors after the engine stopped running. The pilot said he "... turned west to avoid [a] road and wires." According to the pilot, the engine started and ran for about 3-seconds when the airplane was about 25-feet above the ground. The pilot said he "...thought [he] could make runway 9...," and banked the plane toward the runway. During this maneuvering the engine stopped running a second time. The pilot said he "...leveled the wings and let [the] plane settle in." The airplane collidied with the ground and came to rest facing south. The right main gear was folded under the airplane and the nose wheel was sheared off. The fuselage had wrinkling at the firewall and behind the cockpit. The outboard half of the left wing was bent upward about 45-degrees. The right wing was bent upward about 15-degrees at the wing root. It leading edge was crushed upward and aft. The on-scene investigation revealed no pre-accident mechanical anomalies with the airframe, engine, magnetos or fuel system that would prevent flight. The spark plug electrodes were black and sooty in appearance. The propeller had one blade bent aft approximately 5-degrees at the midpoint. The fuel smelled similar to autogas. There was a tablespoon of fuel obtained from the carburetor float bowl. The fuel line between the carburetor and fuel pump was cracked. The PL-1B's design for the carburetor heat system is to use radiant heat from the oil cooler. There is an air scoop for the carburetor at the front of the airplane's cowl that extends aft and is attached to the carburetor throat opening. The oil cooler is located aft and above the air scoop inlet. Air enters through the oil cooler's opening and passes over the oil cooler. The warmed air from the radiant heat of the oil cooler then travels about 14-inches to the carburetor body. This is the only means available to the pilot for prevention or elimination of carburetor ice. On the day of the accident the temperature and dew point was 36 and 34-degrees Fahrenheit respectively. There was also moderate rain at the time of the accident. According to the FAA's carburetor icing probability chart, the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to serious icing at cruise power settings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChinese A/F Aero Ind Dev Ctr PL-1B
Tail NumberN830JT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 2300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:18
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data