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 6, 1999 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6814W

Coalinga, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Coalinga, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6814W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA265

During prior portions of the flight, the flight instructor observed that there was a strong crosswind from 330 degrees at 10 knots at pattern altitude, while the ASOS and windsocks were showing calm winds on the surface. The instructor and student then initiated a simulated forced landing to runway 30. On final approach, the student was adequately correcting for the crosswind until the airplane descended through 150 feet agl where they experienced a wind shear and the student had difficulty controlling the airplane. About 40 to 60 feet agl, the flight instructor took over the flight controls and initiated a go-around, but the airplane touched down hard on the runway and drifted left off the pavement. The flight instructor maneuvered the airplane further left to avoid a concrete pipe culvert and then collided with the PAPI lights. The airplane came to rest about 1,500 feet from the approach end of the runway. He reported that he had not experienced any problems with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. Postcrash examination did not reveal any mechanical problems with the engine or airframe.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain a sufficient airspeed to compensate for the known wind shear condition, which resulted in a failure to maintain runway alignment and a hard landing. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight was also causal.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 1999, at 2015 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6814W, veered off the runway and collided with ground obstructions while landing at the New Coalinga Municipal Airport, Coalinga, California. The aircraft, rented from a private individual, was substantially damaged. Neither the airline transport pilot/certified flight instructor nor the dual student pilot were injured. The local instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from the Coalinga Airport about 1915. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor reported that he and the student pilot were practicing a simulated forced landing to runway 30. He stated that their designated touchdown point was about 1,000 feet down the runway from the approach end. The flight instructor said that during previous portions of the flight he was aware that there was a strong gusty crosswind he estimated from 330 degrees at 10 knots at pattern altitude, although the automated weather observation service (AWOS) on the field was reporting calm winds. He reported that the three windsocks on the airport also indicated calm winds. The flight instructor reported that while on final approach the student was correcting for the crosswind condition until they descended through about 150 feet agl, where they experienced a wind shear and the aircraft veered left of the runway heading. He stated that the student initially corrected for the drift, but they experienced more wind shear, which again resulted in significant left drift. The flight instructor felt that at that point they would not be able to correct the situation and land safely. About 40 to 60 feet agl, the flight instructor took the flight controls from the student and initiated a go-around by applying full throttle while simultaneously pushing in the carburetor heat control. He reported that the engine coughed and did not produce sufficient power to sustain flight. The airplane touched down hard on the runway with the right main landing gear first, about 700 feet from the approach end, and began to drift left. The flight instructor reported that he maneuvered the airplane to the left to avoid a concrete pipe culvert and collided with the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights about 30 degrees off the runway heading. The airplane came to rest about 1,500 feet from the approach end of the runway. The flight instructor reported that the engine was still producing some power when the aircraft collided with the PAPI lights. He reported that he had not experienced any problems with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. The flight instructor also stated that there were no toe brakes available on his side of the cockpit. The Piper PA-28-140 has a hand brake on the right side of the center pedestal, which is available to either pilot. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft after the accident. He stated that the fuel tanks and carburetor bowl contained fuel, and the spark plugs displayed normal color and wear patterns. He reported that the internal baffling of the exhaust system was uncollapsed and revealed normal coloration. The inspector said that he did not find any mechanical problems with the engine or aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 PDT
Nearest AirportNew Coalinga (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6814W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind300° @ 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data