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

September 1, 1999 · Aero Commander S2R · N8965Q

Cairo, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cairo, GA
Aircraft
Aero Commander S2R
Tail Number
N8965Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA121

Shortly after liftoff from the runway, the engine backfired and lost power. An eyewitness at the airport reported seeing black smoke coming from the airplane during the attempted takeoff. The pilot turned right and selected a field for the emergency landing. After clearing a nearby pond, the pilot dumped the load of chemicals, and landed in a field about 300 yards beyond the pond. The examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the examination of the engine, fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Examination of the carburetor also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data disclosed that the temperature was 68 degrees, and the dew point was 66 degrees. According to the Icing Probability Curves, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

Full Narrative

On September 1, 1999, at 0845 eastern daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8965Q, collided with the ground during an attempted forced landing in a field near Cairo-Grady Municipal Airport in Cairo, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed Cairo, Georgia, at 0844. According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from runway 12 at the Cairo-Grady Municipal Airport, the engine backfired and lost power. An eyewitness at the airport reported seeing black smoke coming from the airplane during the attempted takeoff. The pilot turned right and selected a field for the emergency landing. After clearing a nearby pond, the pilot dumped the load of chemicals, and landed in a field about 3000 yards beyond the pond. The pilot reported that during the emergency landing, the landing gear collapsed and the right forward wing spar sustained damage. The examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the examination of the engine, fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Examination of the carburetor also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data disclosed that the temperature was 68 degrees, and the dew point was 66 degrees. According to the Icing Probability Curves, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice (see attached icing probability curves).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 EDT
Nearest AirportCairo-Grady Municipal (1nm WNW)
Runway30
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander S2R
Tail NumberN8965Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-S3H1-G · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data