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

March 4, 1998 · Cessna 150M · N63387

Haverhill, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Haverhill, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N63387
Operator
Eagle East Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
IAD98LA034

In level flight at 2,000 feet, the engine began running rough with an associated vibration. The CFI took control of the airplane and the vibration became stronger. After shutting down the engine, the CFI attempted to land on an abandoned runway. The airplane impacted trees approximately 100 feet beyond the departure end of the abandoned runway. Examination of the engine logbooks and discussions with the operator disclosed that the engine was 362 hours beyond Time Between Overhaul (TBO) and automotive fuel was utilized without a Supplemental Type Certificate. Disassembly of the engine revealed the number two cylinder's exhaust valve was fractured and the cylinder was cracked. An examination of the fractured exhaust valve by the Materials Laboratory Division of the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the 'shank area immediately adjacent to the fracture was reduced in size, and the fracture features were indicative of bending overstress separation with no indications of pre-existing cracking.'

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to a fractured number two cylinder exhaust valve and cracked cylinder. Contributing factors were the operator's allowance of the time between engine overhaul to be exceeded and the trees.

Full Narrative

On March 4, 1998, about 0906 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150M, N63387, was destroyed as it collided with trees during a forced landing near Haverhill, Massachusetts. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Lawrence Municipal Airport, Lawrence, Massachusetts, about 0810. The CFI reported that they had completed maneuvers in the local practice area, and climbed to 2,000 feet. He recalled that they were in cruise flight for about 2 minutes when the engine began running rough with an associated strong vibration. The CFI stated that he took control of the airplane with all engine indications normal. Unable to reach the airport and with the vibration getting worse, the CFI shutdown the engine and attempted to land at a closed airport. The flight instructor reported that they were high and fast, floated over the abandoned runway and impacted trees approximately 100 feet beyond the departure end of runway 32. The airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude, and the student and flight instructor exited the airplane through the left door. On March 5, 1998, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector assisted in the disassembly of the engine. The number two cylinder was removed revealing a fractured exhaust valve, a piston head which contained holes, and a crack cylinder wall. Examination of the engine logbooks and discussions with the operator disclosed that the engine was 362 hours beyond Time Between Overhaul (TBO) and automotive fuel was utilized without a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). The number two cylinder assembly with the intake valve installed, and the fractured exhaust valve were examined by the Materials Laboratory Division of the National Transportation Safety Board. The examination revealed that the valve head was heavily damaged and distorted by mechanical forces but with no indications of severe thermal distress such as channeling or burning. The shank area immediately adjacent to the fracture was reduced in size, and the fracture features were indicative of bending overstress separation with no indications of pre-existing cracking."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:06 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN63387
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEagle East Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data