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 11, 1999 · Cessna T188C · N9659J

Panhandle, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Panhandle, TX
Aircraft
Cessna T188C
Tail Number
N9659J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA168

The agricultural airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff. The airplane departed from the runway, reached an altitude of approximately 75 feet agl, and then began to 'settle to the ground.' The pilot performed an emergency chemical dump; however, the airplane continued to descend. During the ensuing forced landing in a wheat field, the left main landing gear failed, and the airplane groundlooped. Subsequently, the airplane slid 60 feet before coming to a stop upright. Examination of the engine revealed that the number 5 cylinder produced a compression of 34/80 (manufacturer's specifications state that the acceptable compression is 60/80). No other discrepancies with the engine were noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The partial loss of engine power as a result of the low compression in the number 5 cylinder. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On June 11, 1999, at 0630 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C agricultural airplane, N9659J, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing, following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb near Panhandle, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Stamps Spraying Service Inc., of Panhandle, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating from the Stamps Field Airport, Panhandle, Texas, at the time of the accident. According to the 2,333-hour pilot, the preflight inspection and before takeoff engine run-up revealed no discrepancies. The airplane departed from runway 17, reached an altitude of approximately 75 feet agl, and began to "settle to the ground." The pilot initiated an emergency dump of the airplane's chemical load. The airplane continued to settle, and the spray booms "started to drag in a wheat field," which "caused the airplane to be pulled down into the field." The pilot attempted "to maintain control and land;" however, the airplane contacted the ground with the left main landing gear, which separated 3 inches above the axle. Subsequently, the airplane groundlooped and slid 60 feet, coming to a stop upright. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and reported that the left wing, including the spars, was structurally damaged. He added that the propeller blades tips were bent back. The 310-horsepower Continental TSIO-520-T1B engine, was examined by another FAA inspector. According to the inspector, the engine underwent its most recent annual inspection on May 23, 1999, and had accumulated a total of 1,440 hours at the time of the accident. The examination revealed that each spark plug produced a spark when tested and each electrode was free of sediment. Each of the magneto leads produced a spark when the impulse coupling was rotated. The oil filter was removed and observed free of contaminants. A compression check of each cylinder was performed. Compression was within manufacturer's specifications in each of the cylinders, except for the number 5 cylinder. The number 5 cylinder produced a compression of 34/80 (manufacturer's specifications state that the acceptable compression is 60/80). The airframe and engine were removed from the examination facility by the owner, without authorization by the FAA or NTSB, and no further examination was conducted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T188C
Tail NumberN9659J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-T1B · Reciprocating · 310
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind180° @ 2 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data