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

May 14, 1999 · Cessna T188C · N1994J

Bruce, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bruce, MS
Aircraft
Cessna T188C
Tail Number
N1994J
Operator
Darren L Collins
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA087

The pilot finished spraying a field, pulled up and turned the spray pump off, when the engine lost oil pressure and the pilot heard a loud noise. Smoke came out of the cowling and the engine lost power approximately 50 feet above the ground. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a cotton field. During the landing roll, the airplane traveled through some small trees and brush, and came to a stop across a ditch. Examination of the engine revealed that the engine experienced lubrication distress to the number 2 connecting rod bearing and journal. The number 2 connecting rod was supplied oil from the number 2 main bearing. The number 2 main bearing was shifted in the crankcase bearing saddle, which restricted the oil feed to the number 2 connecting rod. As a result, the number 2 connecting rod failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of lubrication to the number 2 connecting rod due to the shifted bearing that resulted in the total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 1999, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N1994J, collided with the ground during an emergency landing in Bruce, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local agricultural application flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Bruce, Mississippi, at 0900. According to the pilot, he had just finished spraying a field. As he pulled up out of the field and turned the spray pump off, the airplane lost oil pressure and the pilot heard a loud noise. Smoke came out of the cowling and the engine lost power approximately 50 feet above the ground. He engaged the fuel boost pump at that point, but was unable to regain power. The pilot elected to land in a nearby cotton field. The pilot stated that he did not have enough room to stop and the airplane subsequently traveled through some small trees and brush and came to a stop across a ditch in another cotton field. According to the FAA, the pilot stated that he had to keep decreasing the propeller pitch to keep the RPM up during the agricultural application. The FAA noted that the propeller could only be turned 180 degrees in either direction by hand during field examination of the accident. A pool of oil underneath the airplane was also noted by the FAA. Inspection of the engine revealed an outward protruding cracked area the size of a dime near the number three cylinder, and a hole, approximately two inches in diameter in the top of the crank case adjacent to the number 2 cylinder. The FAA stated that while looking through the hole in the crank case, it was noticed that the connecting rod was not connected to the crank shaft and the area where the connecting rod connects to the crankshaft was dry. Teardown and examination of the engine by Teledyne Continental Motors in Mobile, Alabama, and observed by the NTSB revealed that the engine experienced lubrication distress to the number 2 connecting rod bearing and journal. The number 2 connecting rod is supplied oil from the number 2 main bearing. The number 2 main bearing was shifted in the crankcase bearing saddle, which restricted or obscured the oil feed to the number 2 connecting rod. As a result, the number 2 connecting rod failed, which resulted in its disconnection from the crankshaft journal. The engine interior was damaged as a result of the number 2 connecting rod failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T188C
Tail NumberN1994J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDarren L Collins
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-T · Reciprocating · 310
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data