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

December 25, 1993 · Carson PIEL Emeraude CP305 PIEL Emera · N447TB

Morrison, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Morrison, TN
Aircraft
Carson PIEL Emeraude CP305 PIEL Emera
Tail Number
N447TB
Operator
Sherrell Joe K
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL94LA031

A NON-CERTIFIED PILOT DECIDED TO TAKE A PASSENGER FOR AN AIRPLANE RIDE. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A SNOWSTORM MOVED INTO THE AREA. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER A GO-AROUND, THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND, WHEN THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED INTO CLOUDS. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM THE AIRSTRIP ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE PILOT HAD BEEN ISSUED A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE IN DECEMBER 1982. NO OTHER FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS OFFICIALLY RECORDED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION AND LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 25, 1993, at 1200 central standard time, a Carson Piel Emeraude CP305, N447TB, was destroyed following a collision with terrain in Morrison, Tennessee. The student pilot and one passenger were fatally injured in the accident and post impact fire. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at a private, grass airstrip in Morrison shortly before the accident. Witnesses reported that the pilot was performing touch and go landings at the airstrip, which was owned by the pilot's family. The winds were gusting, with intermittent snow shower activity. The aircraft was seen executing a go-around at about 15 feet above the ground, then turning toward an approaching snow shower. The witnesses, who were relatives of the pilot, lost visual contact with the aircraft due to the snow showers. The aircraft wreckage was found the following day in a wooded area, approximately one half mile from the airstrip. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Witnesses reported that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane. The pilot had been issued a student pilot certificate on December 20, 1982. It was reported that the pilot had conducted his first solo flight in January, 1983. No other flight experience was recorded. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Autopsies and toxicological examinations were not performed on the occupants at the request of the victims' families.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CST
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (1nm E)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCarson PIEL Emeraude CP305 PIEL Emera
Tail NumberN447TB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSherrell Joe K
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 9 kt, gusting 21 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data