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

August 4, 1991 · Beech C23 · N9375S

Pleasantville, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Pleasantville, NJ
Aircraft
Beech C23
Tail Number
N9375S
Operator
Groton Navy Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91FA199

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE OPERATING OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT NIGHT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE, AND CRASHED AND BURNED IN A STREET. RECORDS INDICATE THE ENGINE HAD A PROP STRIKE AT 1828 HRS, WAS OVERHAULED AT 2164 HRS, AND OVERHAULED AGAIN AT 3407 HRS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 3486 HRS. NO RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST OVERHAUL, HOWEVER WHEN EXAMINED AT THE 2ND OVERHAUL THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND TO BE UNDERSIZED BY .003 INCH.. THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED AT THE REAR OF THE NUMBER 3 CRANKPIN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION FOUND THE FRACTURE ORIGINATED SUBSURFACE IN AN AREA OF STRESS. NITRIDING RESIDUE WAS FOUND IN CRACKS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED BY NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING. THE FAA DOES NOT REQUIRE THE CERTIFICATION OF NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OPERATORS.

NTSB Probable Cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO A FAILED CRANKSHAFT, WHILE OPERATING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE, THE NIGHT CONDITIONS, THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO DETECT THE CRACKS USING MAGNAFLUX INSPECTIONS, THE LACK OF ADEQUATE PROCEDURES/DIRECTIONS ON DETECTION OF CRACKS, AND THE LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATION FOR OPERATORS CONDUCTING NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE OPERATING OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT NIGHT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE, AND CRASHED AND BURNED IN A STREET. RECORDS INDICATE THE ENGINE HAD A PROP STRIKE AT 1828 HRS, WAS OVERHAULED AT 2164 HRS, AND OVERHAULED AGAIN AT 3407 HRS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 3486 HRS. NO RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST OVERHAUL, HOWEVER WHEN EXAMINED AT THE 2ND OVERHAUL THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND TO BE UNDERSIZED BY .003 INCH.. THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED AT THE REAR OF THE NUMBER 3 CRANKPIN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION FOUND THE FRACTURE ORIGINATED SUBSURFACE IN AN AREA OF STRESS. NITRIDING RESIDUE WAS FOUND IN CRACKS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED BY NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING. THE FAA DOES NOT REQUIRE THE CERTIFICATION OF NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OPERATORS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech C23
Tail NumberN9375S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGroton Navy Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 13000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data