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

June 27, 1991 · Piper PA 28-140 · N1898J

Flagstaff, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA 28-140
Tail Number
N1898J
Operator
Henry N Halle
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA279

A PIPER PA 28-140 COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS EXAMINED BY THE FAA. SIX OF THE EIGHT SPARK PLUGS EXHIBITED SOOTY DARK ELECTRODES. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, THE ELECTRODE APPEARANCE WAS INDICATIVE OF A RICH MIXTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL PRIMER REVEALED IT WAS UNLOCKED. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVER PRIMED OR RICH MIXTURE. THE RICH MIXTURE AND HIGH ALTITUDE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PROPERLY LOCK THE ENGINE PRIMER CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVER RICH FUEL TO AIR MIXTURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Full Narrative

A PIPER PA 28-140 COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS EXAMINED BY THE FAA. SIX OF THE EIGHT SPARK PLUGS EXHIBITED SOOTY DARK ELECTRODES. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, THE ELECTRODE APPEARANCE WAS INDICATIVE OF A RICH MIXTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL PRIMER REVEALED IT WAS UNLOCKED. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVER PRIMED OR RICH MIXTURE. THE RICH MIXTURE AND HIGH ALTITUDE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 28-140
Tail NumberN1898J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHenry N Halle
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 14 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data