Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
September 5, 1992 · Piper PA-60-602P · N3647T
Georgetown, DE
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Georgetown, DE
Aircraft
Piper PA-60-602P
Tail Number
N3647T
Operator
Clifford J Turner
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO92FA125
DURING A VOR RUNWAY 22 APPROACH, THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT SIGHTED THE RUNWAY AND CANCELLED HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN. AS HE WAS CIRCLING TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE A STEEP LEFT BANKING TURN ABOUT 250 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, UPON ROLL OUT OF THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH, THE NOSE AND RIGHT WING DROPPED BELOW THE HORIZON, AND THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 400 TO 500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. WEATHER FACILITIES IN THE AREA WERE FORECASTING ABOUT 1,000 FOOT CEILINGS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHILE CIRCLING TO LAND, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE MANEUVERING OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY FROM THE STALL.
Full Narrative
DURING A VOR RUNWAY 22 APPROACH, THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT SIGHTED THE RUNWAY AND CANCELLED HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN. AS HE WAS CIRCLING TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE A STEEP LEFT BANKING TURN ABOUT 250 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, UPON ROLL OUT OF THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH, THE NOSE AND RIGHT WING DROPPED BELOW THE HORIZON, AND THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 400 TO 500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. WEATHER FACILITIES IN THE AREA WERE FORECASTING ABOUT 1,000 FOOT CEILINGS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:37 EDT
Nearest AirportSussex County (2nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-60-602P
Tail NumberN3647T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClifford J Turner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AA1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC