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

May 5, 1993 · Beech A33-35 · N397Z

Theodosia, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1993
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Location
Theodosia, MO
Aircraft
Beech A33-35
Tail Number
N397Z
Operator
Robert D Borman
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI93LA162

THE PILOT INITIATED THE TAKEOFF TO THE WEST ON A DOWNHILL RUNWAY WITH A TAILWIND OF APPROXIMATELY 9 KNOTS. UPON REACHING 200 FEET AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS IN POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO TREES. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO THE TERRAIN IN AN INVERTED POSITION AND A POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUCNTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT AVOIDED TAKING OFF FROM ANOTHER AIRPORT WITH THIS PASSENGER LOAD DUE TO WEIGHT CONCERNS.

NTSB Probable Cause

POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND, A HEAVY WEIGHT LOAD, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH TO LAND THE AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 1993, at 1535 central daylight time, a Beech A33-35, N397Z, operated by Robert D. Borman collided with the trees shortly after takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. A third passenger received fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Lost Mine Airport, a private airport in Theodosia, Missouri, just prior to the accident. The pilot reported that prior to the accident he and his passengers had flown to Gainsville, Missouri, to attend a conference. He reported that due to the short runway (1,890') at Gainsville and the weight of all three passengers, he flew to the Lost Mine Airport with two passengers on board, dropped them off and returned to Gainsville to pick up the third passenger. Upon landing at Lost Mine with the third passenger, the pilot reported, he taxied to the end of the runway, picked up the other passengers and was departing when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the airplane seemed to be performing okay until an altitude of 200' was reached on takeoff, at which time the engine began to "slow down, showing a drop in power and RPM's." He reported he lowered the nose in an attempt to maintain airspeed and looked for a place to land. The pilot ultimately stalled the airplane into trees. He reported the airplane contacted the trees at 50 mph and spun 180 degrees upside down prior to settling to the terrain in an inverted position. A post impact fire erupted. A witness at a nearby farm reported hearing the airplane and reported that the engine sounded like it was "lugging down" as if under a heavy load. A post accident inspection of the airplane and engine was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector. His statement of the inspection is attached to this report. The pilot departed downhill on runway 27 at the Lost Mine Airport. Winds at the time of the departure were from the south-southeast at 9 knots. After the departure the pilot made a right hand turn to the north.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:35 CDT
Nearest AirportLost Mine Airport (2nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A33-35
Tail NumberN397Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert D Borman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-J · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data