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 16, 1993 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8120H

Vacaville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 16, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Vacaville, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8120H
Operator
Navajo Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX93LA152

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN A CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1900 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. HE SAID HE CHANGED FUEL TANKS AND TURNED ON THE FUEL PUMP. HE REPORTED THE ENGINE THEN LOST TOTAL POWER. HE SAID HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A VALLEY. DURING THE TERMINATION OF THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN FOLLOWED BY THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL AND FUSELAGE. THE AIRPLANE'S FUSELAGE WAS DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED FOR EXAMINATION. THE FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR SUPERVISING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION REPORTED THAT NO PRE EXISTING DEFICIENCIES WERE NOTED DURING THE EXAMINATION AND THAT THE EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL A REASON FOR THE REPORTED ENGINE POWER LOSS.

NTSB Probable Cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).

Full Narrative

On March 15, 1993, at 1900 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8120H, collided with the terrain during the termination of a power off forced landing near Vacaville, California. The power off forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during takeoff climb. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The airplane was being operated by Navajo Aviation of Concord, California, and was rented by the pilot for the personal flight. The airplane departed Vacaville about 1845 hours and was destined for Concord, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. An FAA safety inspector examined the airplane on scene and interviewed the pilot. The pilot said he was in a climb after takeoff at an altitude of about 1900 feet mean sea level when the engine began to sputter and lose power. He said that he changed fuel tanks and turned on the fuel pump. He reported the engine lost total power. He said he made a forced landing in a valley. The pilot reported to the FAA safety inspector that the airplane's left wing "hit first, followed by the tail and the fuselage." The pilot said the airplane caught fire after it came to a stop. Inspection of the airplane by the FAA safety inspector revealed the airplane's fuselage was completely destroyed by fire. He reported that the propeller was "close to being undamaged except for a slight aft bend of one of the prop blades and heavy nicks on the other blade." He further reported that with the exception of the carburetor, all engine accessories were destroyed by fire. The engine was removed from the airplane and transported to Sacramento, California, for further examination. The engine was examined on March 30, 1993, under the supervision of an FAA airworthiness safety inspector. The FAA safety inspector reported that no pre-existing deficiencies were noted during the engine examination and that the examination did not reveal a reason for the reported power loss.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8120H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNavajo Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data