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 29, 2000 · Piper PA-23-160 · N3317P

Winter Haven, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 29, 2000
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Winter Haven, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-160
Tail Number
N3317P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA00LA193

The flight instructor stated that during the climbout, at about 500 feet indicated altitude, the left engine ceased operating. He said he took control of the airplane, performed the normal procedures, and flew back to the airport, making communication announcements on the frequency, 122.7. The instructor said that as he was flying the airplane, he noticed the landing gear was not coming down, so he leveled off and proceeded to pump the gear down. By the time the gear indicator lights showed three green lights, the instructor said that he had flown past the airport boundary at an altitude of 100 feet above ground level. The instructor said that he was going to try to turn around, but decided to proceed straight ahead and land in an orange grove, since the airplane was not climbing at Vyse. A certified FAA mechanic with inspection authorization examined the left engine, and did not find any mechanical failure or malfunction with the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

the flight instructor's failure to follow procedures/directives and his misjudgment of distance/altitude following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the proper touchdown point not being attained, an off airport landing being affected, and substantial damage to the aircraft during the emergency landing.

Full Narrative

On June 29, 2000, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-160 Apache, N3317P, registered to and operated by Britannia Flight Center, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed after takeoff from Winter Haven Airport, Winter Haven, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated flight instructor, and one dual student received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The flight instructor stated that the student was flying the airplane, and they had been performing touch-and-go landings, and had just taken off. The instructor further stated that during the climbout, at about 500 feet indicated altitude, the left engine ceased operating. The instructor said that as soon as he realized that the engine had ceased operating, he took control of the airplane. He said he recognized that the left engine had ceased operating by the yaw to the left, and he performed the normal procedures, and flew back to the airport, making communication announcements on the frequency, 122.7. The instructor said that as he was flying the airplane, he noticed the landing gear was not coming down, so he leveled off and proceeded to pump the gear down. By the time the gear indicator lights showed three green lights, the instructor said that he had flown past the airport boundary at an altitude of 100 feet above ground level. The instructor said that he was going to try to turn around, but decided to proceed straight ahead, since the airplane was not climbing at Vyse. He said he then looked for the nearest, safest place to put the airplane down, saw orange groves, and decided that the orange grove was the safest place to land. A certified FAA mechanic with inspection authorization examined the left engine, and did not find any mechanical failure or malfunction with the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWinter Haven Airport (2nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length5006 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-160
Tail NumberN3317P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data