Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
May 15, 1990 · Piper PA23-160 · N4232P
Flagstaff, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA23-160
Tail Number
N4232P
Operator
Robert J Kirsch
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90LA175
AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM THE AUX TO THE MAIN POSITION, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT SELECTOR LEVER WAS 'VERY STIFF AND HARD TO MOVE.' HE SAID THAT HE TRIED TO RECYCLE THE SELECTOR LEVER BUT THAT DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE GOOD ENGINE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT SELECTED A SUITABLE LANDING AREA ALONG A DIRT ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE LANDING FLARE WHEN THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT ENGINE SUDDENLY PRODUCED A BURST OF POWER. THE SUDDEN POWER SURGE INDUCED A SEVERE YAW AND ROLL WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT WING TO CONTACT THE GROUND. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THE CABLE FOR THE LEFT SELECTOR VALVE WAS BINDING. THE VALVE WAS FOUND IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE MAIN AND AUX POSITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND TO FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A FACTOR WAS ERRATIC POWER FROM THE LEFT ENGINE DUE TO THE JAMMING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION.
Full Narrative
AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM THE AUX TO THE MAIN POSITION, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT SELECTOR LEVER WAS 'VERY STIFF AND HARD TO MOVE.' HE SAID THAT HE TRIED TO RECYCLE THE SELECTOR LEVER BUT THAT DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE GOOD ENGINE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT SELECTED A SUITABLE LANDING AREA ALONG A DIRT ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE LANDING FLARE WHEN THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT ENGINE SUDDENLY PRODUCED A BURST OF POWER. THE SUDDEN POWER SURGE INDUCED A SEVERE YAW AND ROLL WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT WING TO CONTACT THE GROUND. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THE CABLE FOR THE LEFT SELECTOR VALVE WAS BINDING. THE VALVE WAS FOUND IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE MAIN AND AUX POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA23-160
Tail NumberN4232P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert J Kirsch
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 20 kt, gusting 28 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO