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
May 9, 1991 · Piper PA-32-300 · N55653
Clearwater, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Clearwater, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N55653
Operator
Tropicair Pilot S Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA91LA138
THE PLT STATED THE ENG WAS SLUGGISH DURING THE TAKEOFF FOR THE THIRD TOUCH AND GO LANDING, FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. WITH INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO LAND HE CONTINUED TO CLIMB & ADVISED THE TOWER OF THE ENG MALFUNCTION. HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON ANY RWY BUT THE ENG THEN QUIT. HE INITIATED A LT TURN TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. WHILE DESCENDING HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE NOSE & LT WING LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE WATER BUT STATED THAT THE FLT CONTROLS WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & THE ENG REMOVED FOR EXAM. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE NEAR THE NO. 4 CYLINDER. THE NO. 4 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE FIRE SLEEVES PROTECTING THE THREE OIL LINES ATTACHED TO THE LT & RT OIL COOLERS WERE OIL SOAKED. DURING REMOVAL OF THE FIRE SLEEVES, ONE LINE BROKE DUE TO DETERIORATION. THE TWO OTHER LINES WERE EXAMINED & FOUND TO BE DETERIORATED. THE DATA TAGS ATTACHED TO EACH LINE INDICATED THAT THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 1972.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHO FAILED TO DETECT A DETERIORATED OIL LINE. THIS RESULTED IN OIL EXHAUSTION CAUSING THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF ONE OF THE CONNECTING RODS. ALSO INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH BY THE PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THE ENG WAS SLUGGISH DURING THE TAKEOFF FOR THE THIRD TOUCH AND GO LANDING, FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. WITH INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO LAND HE CONTINUED TO CLIMB & ADVISED THE TOWER OF THE ENG MALFUNCTION. HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON ANY RWY BUT THE ENG THEN QUIT. HE INITIATED A LT TURN TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. WHILE DESCENDING HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE NOSE & LT WING LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE WATER BUT STATED THAT THE FLT CONTROLS WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & THE ENG REMOVED FOR EXAM. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE NEAR THE NO. 4 CYLINDER. THE NO. 4 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE FIRE SLEEVES PROTECTING THE THREE OIL LINES ATTACHED TO THE LT & RT OIL COOLERS WERE OIL SOAKED. DURING REMOVAL OF THE FIRE SLEEVES, ONE LINE BROKE DUE TO DETERIORATION. THE TWO OTHER LINES WERE EXAMINED & FOUND TO BE DETERIORATED. THE DATA TAGS ATTACHED TO EACH LINE INDICATED THAT THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 1972.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN55653
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTropicair Pilot S Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:02
Weather SourceWFAC