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 21, 2000 · Piper PA-28-140 · N55769

Ben Wheeler, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ben Wheeler, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N55769
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW00LA183

During the takeoff/initial climb from the dry turf runway, the airplane experienced a loss of airspeed and stalled as it cleared the marked powerlines at the departure end of the runway. The airplane struck the ground with the right wing. Numerous attempts to contact the pilot were unsuccessful. To date a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120/1/2) has not been submitted to the Safety Board by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent stall of the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On June 21, 2000, at 0625 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, single-engine airplane, N55769, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain following a loss of control during the takeoff/initial climb from a private grass airstrip near Ben Wheeler, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to local authorities that the north/south runway had been mowed the day before the flight, and the runway was dry. Following the takeoff on the south runway, the pilot turned the airplane 10 degrees toward the left. The pilot recalled the climb airspeed at 65 knots and the power at 2,300-rpm. As the airplane cleared marked power lines at the departure end of the runway, there was a "loss of airspeed and a stall." The right wing dropped and the airplane struck the ground. The pilot reported the wind from 220 degrees at 7 knots. At 0553, the weather reported at Tyler, Texas, (25 nautical miles east of the accident site) was wind from 190 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, a temperature of 25 degrees Celcius, and a broken cloud layer at 1,700 feet agl. The FAA inspector, responding to the site, found the outboard area of both wings bent upward. The fuselage was buckled, and engine mounts were bent. Numerous attempts by the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge to contact the pilot were unsuccessful. The original Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) mailed on June 22, 2000, to the pilot's address in the FAA records, was returned unclaimed. Subsequently, the pilot's address was verified via the U.S. Postal Service, and the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was sent to the pilot on September 8, 2000, by certified mail. The certified mail was signed for on September 11, 2000; however, to date, the completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 has not been submitted to the Safety Board. The Safety Board did not take possession of the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:25 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (0nm)
Runway18
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN55769
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 140

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind190° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1700 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data