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 4, 1999 · Beech BE-23 · N2339Z

Houghton Lake, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Houghton Lake, MI
Aircraft
Beech BE-23
Tail Number
N2339Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA142

The pilot reported that after liftoff, at an altitude of 100-feet above ground level, the engine, '...became very labored, and rpm began to decrease.' The pilot stated that he began a turn to the airport with the intention of landing on runway 18. The pilot reported that during the turn, the engine stopped completely. He stated he reported the engine failure to UNICOM, and tried to keep the nose up. The stall warning alarm just barely started to sound as he started into the trees. Examination of the wreckage failed to reveal any apparent preaccident anomalies with the airplane or its engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 1999, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-23, N2339Z, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 09 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Roscommon County Airport, Houghton Lake, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he had noticed an oil accumulation on the cowling after a previous flight and determined that the source of the oil leak was from the number 2 cylinder. The pilot, with the assistance from an A&P mechanic, removed the number 2 cylinder and replaced it with a new cylinder, piston, and piston rings. The pilot reported that he ran-up the engine for a period of 5-10 minutes after the completion of the engine maintenance. After the run-up, the pilot noticed that there was a, "...slight weep from the rocker box gasket...," and the pilot retorqued the rocker box cover. The following day the pilot decided to make a local flight with the airplane. The pilot stated that the pre-flight, engine start, taxi, and initial run-up were unremarkable. The pilot departed from runway 09, with the takeoff roll and liftoff completed without incident. The pilot reported that at an altitude of 100-feet above ground level the engine, "...became very labored, and [the] rpm began to decrease." The pilot reported that the, "Oil pressure was in the center of the green band (about 75 psi), oil temp was still low due to just starting the engine, fuel pressure was high in the green band (about 5 psi), and the fuel boost was still on." The pilot stated that he began a turn back to the airport with the intention of landing on runway 18 (2,200 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf). The pilot reported that during the turn back to the airport, "...the engine stopped completely." The pilot stated that he, "...reported this [the engine failure] to UNICOM and tried to keep the nose up. The stall warning alarm just barely started to sound as I started into the trees." During the post-accident investigation, no maintenance sign-off was found for the replacement of the number 2 cylinder, piston, and piston rings. In an interview with the A&P mechanic who assisted the pilot with the engine maintenance, the A&P mechanic stated that he had not inspected and/or released the engine back to service prior to the accident flight. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspection of the wreckage failed to reveal any apparent pre-accident anomalies with the aircraft or its engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest AirportRoscommon County Airport (1nm E)
Runway9
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech BE-23
Tail NumberN2339Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data