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

January 25, 1990 · Piper PA-28-161 · N30057

Austin, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Austin, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N30057
Operator
Ford Brendon
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA058

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION TO IMPROVE HIS LANDING TECHNIQUE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD OVERSHOT HIS TURN TO FINAL AND WAS LOW ON THE APPROACH, WHEN HE APPLIED POWER AND NOTICED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THEY WERE APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF TO ONE THIRD MILE FROM THE RUNWAY AND AT APPROXIMATELY 200 TO 300 FEET AGL AT THIS POINT. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DIVERTED THE GLIDE INTO TREES TO AVOID TEN FOOT TALL POWER LINES ACROSS HIS APPROACH PATH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP ROCKER ARM HAD FAILED AT THE PIVOT POINT. THIS COMPONENT HAD 8,557 HOURS TOTAL TIME AND 1,367 HOURS SINCE ENGINE OVERHAUL.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE ROCKER ARM IN THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP.

Full Narrative

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION TO IMPROVE HIS LANDING TECHNIQUE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD OVERSHOT HIS TURN TO FINAL AND WAS LOW ON THE APPROACH, WHEN HE APPLIED POWER AND NOTICED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THEY WERE APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF TO ONE THIRD MILE FROM THE RUNWAY AND AT APPROXIMATELY 200 TO 300 FEET AGL AT THIS POINT. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DIVERTED THE GLIDE INTO TREES TO AVOID TEN FOOT TALL POWER LINES ACROSS HIS APPROACH PATH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP ROCKER ARM HAD FAILED AT THE PIVOT POINT. THIS COMPONENT HAD 8,557 HOURS TOTAL TIME AND 1,367 HOURS SINCE ENGINE OVERHAUL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 CST
Nearest AirportAustin Exec Airpark (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN30057
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFord Brendon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data