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 17, 1999 · Ryan Navion B · N870DR

Klamath Falls, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Klamath Falls, OR
Aircraft
Ryan Navion B
Tail Number
N870DR
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA088

The pilot added 1 quart of oil to the engine during preflight, but forgot to replace the oil filler cap. Immediately after takeoff from runway 14, the pilot noted oil on the top of the engine cowling and the windscreen. The pilot then requested an immediate return and was cleared to land on any runway. The pilot made a '60 [degree] left turn to runway 25' and attempted a landing with the 'engine...running roughly', but he stated that 'due to altitude' he was unable to make it back to the runway. The aircraft landed at about a 45-degree angle just to the north side of the runway in the dirt area. The landing was sufficiently hard to punch the right main landing gear through the top of the right wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to reinstall the engine oil filler cap during preflight, resulting in engine oil loss and the necessity for an immediate landing.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 1999, approximately 1534 Pacific daylight time, a Ryan Navion B, N870DR, was substantially damaged in an off-runway landing at Klamath Falls International Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon, after the pilot noted oil coming from the engine area after takeoff and turned back to the airport. The private pilot-in-command of the aircraft, who was its sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at Klamath Falls at 1553, and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight to Vacaville, California. The pilot reported that he put 1 quart of oil into the engine during his preflight, but that he forgot to replace the oil filler cap. He stated he then accomplished a normal engine start, taxi to runway 14, and preflight engine runup, then took off from runway 14. He reported that at about 600 feet above ground level, he observed oil on top of the engine cowling and on the windshield. He stated he requested an immediate return and lowered the landing gear, and was cleared by the tower to land on any runway. He stated he immediately made a "60 [degree] left turn to runway 25", and that the engine was running roughly at that point. He reported that "due to altitude", he was unable to make it back to the runway, and that the aircraft landed hard at about a 45-degree angle to the runway, just to the north side of the runway in the dirt area. During the landing, the aircraft's right main gear punched through the top of the right wing, and the bottom of the left wing was also wrinkled. The pilot reported that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident, stating on his NTSB accident report: "Cause of accident was pilot's incomplete preflight, leaving oil filler cap off. This action precipitated the hard emergency landing [and] damage to [the aircraft]."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:34 PDT
Nearest AirportKlamath Falls Intl (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length4972 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRyan Navion B
Tail NumberN870DR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · GO-480-G2D6 · Reciprocating · 295
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data