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 6, 1998 · Nickelson Martin COOT · N84MN

New Port Richey, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 6, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
New Port Richey, FL
Aircraft
Nickelson Martin COOT
Tail Number
N84MN
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA98LA094

Witnesses observed the airplane on takeoff about 10 to 15 feet above the runway in a left wing low attitude. According to them, the airplane appeared to be very near stall speed while climbing. They reported that the airplane continued climbing to the north between 100 to 150 feet, and appeared to enter a stall. The airplane rotated to the left, the angle of bank increased to about 60 to 70 degrees, and the nose pitched down about 50 to 60 degrees. No change in engine sound was noted. The airplane hit a pole as it plunged to the ground, and a postcrash fire ensued.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain.

Full Narrative

On March 6, 1998, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Nickelson-Martin Coot-A experimental airplane, N84MN, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed after departing Tampa Bay Executive Airport, Odessa, Florida, while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses stated the airplane was observed on takeoff about 10 to 20 feet above the runway in a left wing low attitude. It appeared to be very near stall speed while climbing. The airplane started a slow left climbing turn towards the north. It reached about 100 to 150 feet in the turn when the airplane appeared to enter a stall. The airplane rotated quickly to the left, and the angle of bank increased to about 60 to 70 degrees. The nose was observed to pitch down about 50 to 60 degrees. The engine sounded normal with full power all the way to impact. The airplane collided with a utility pole, and the ground, and a post crash fire ensued. Examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure. Continuity of the flight control system was confirmed for the rudder and elevators. The control tube for the ailerons was consumed by postcrash fire. The engine and propeller system were not checked due to witness reports that the engine was running all the way to the point of impact. Postmortem examination of the pilot of N84MN was conducted by Dr. Joan E. Wood, Medical Examiner, District Six, Medical Examiner's Office, Largo, Florida, on March 8, 1998. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Postmortem toxicology of specimens from the pilot was performed by the Forensic Toxicology Research section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These studies were negative for ethanol, acidic, and neutral drugs. Fluoxetine, 0.061 (ug/ml, ug/g), was detected in the blood. Fluoxetine is a drug which acts on the central nervous system, and reported side effects include anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, and dizziness, although most patients do not experience these effects. Review of records on file with the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division revealed no recorded entry on the pilot's application for a third class medical certificate, dated December 31, 1996, that he was using the prescription drug fluoxetine. The source of the drug could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest AirportTampa Bay Executive (0nm)
Runway8
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width48 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftNickelson Martin COOT
Tail NumberN84MN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data