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

April 5, 1991 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2366W

Schaumburg, IL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N2366W
Operator
Northwest Flyers
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91LA121

THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE SEIZED AT 70 FEET ON TAKEOFF CLIMB, AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. THE ENGINE HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE REPLACEMENT OF THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER; NO OTHER PARTS WERE CHANGED. PAINT MARKS ON THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER INDICATED IT HAD BEEN CHROME PLATED TO STANDARD BORE. THE 3 REMAINING CYLINDERS AND ALL PISTONS WERE MARKED 0.010 OVERSIZE. THE OPERATOR'S DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE OBTAINED THE REPLACEMENT PART AND PROVIDED IT TO THE MECHANIC. THE OPERATOR'S MECHANIC STATED HE WAS UNAWARE WHAT THE CYLINDERS' COLOR MARKS SIGNIFIED AND HAD NOT MEASURED MATCHING PARTS DURING REPLACEMENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE MECHANIC'S NOT UNDERSTANDING THE IDENTIFYING MARKS ON THE REPLACEMENT PART. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE MECHANIC WAS PROVIDED WITH AN IMPROPER PART.

Full Narrative

THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE SEIZED AT 70 FEET ON TAKEOFF CLIMB, AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. THE ENGINE HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE REPLACEMENT OF THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER; NO OTHER PARTS WERE CHANGED. PAINT MARKS ON THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER INDICATED IT HAD BEEN CHROME PLATED TO STANDARD BORE. THE 3 REMAINING CYLINDERS AND ALL PISTONS WERE MARKED 0.010 OVERSIZE. THE OPERATOR'S DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE OBTAINED THE REPLACEMENT PART AND PROVIDED IT TO THE MECHANIC. THE OPERATOR'S MECHANIC STATED HE WAS UNAWARE WHAT THE CYLINDERS' COLOR MARKS SIGNIFIED AND HAD NOT MEASURED MATCHING PARTS DURING REPLACEMENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CST
Nearest AirportSchuamburg Air Park (0nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2366W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorthwest Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 11 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data