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 6, 1993 · Piper PA-25-260 · N4749Y

Pixley, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Pixley, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-260
Tail Number
N4749Y
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA204

THE PILOT WAS BEGINNING A LOCAL PRACTICE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE DURING THE CROSSWIND TURN ONTO THE DOWNWIND LEG.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during the turn. The inadvertent stall was a factor in this accident.

Full Narrative

On Thursday, May 6, 1993, at 1522 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA25 260, N4749Y, crashed shortly after departing runway 31, Pixley Airport, Pixley, California. The pilot was beginning a visual flight rules aerial application practice flight. The airplane, operated by Earlimart Dusters, Inc., Earlimart, California, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on May 12, 1993, that he began a right downwind turn shortly after lifting off runway 31. During the turn, the right wing began to raise and he was unable to arrest it. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and crashed. He stated that the surface winds were from 310 degrees at about 10 knots and believes that he encountered a "dust devil." The pilot reiterated his telephone interview statement, including the right downwind turn, in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He also provided a flight path diagram; the diagram showed that he initiated a left turn onto the downwind leg. Photographs provided by Mr. Norm Wilkins, Federal Aviation Administration, Fresno [California] Flight Standards District Office, show that the pilot executed a left downwind turn. The pilot also indicated that the airplane did not experience any malfunctions or failures preceding the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:22 PDT
Nearest AirportPIXLEY (1nm W)
Runway31
Runway Length2050 ft
Runway Width38 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-260
Tail NumberN4749Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data