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

October 25, 1990 · Piper PA-28-181 · N21175

Orlando, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 uninjured
Location
Orlando, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N21175
Operator
Quantico Marine Corps Flying
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA91LA016

THE PLT STATED HE PERFORMED FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS FOR THE FLT & DETERMINED THAT THE ENDURACE ACCORDING TO THE ACFT PERFORMANCE CHARTS, WAS 5 HRS 42 MINUTES. THE FLT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL TANKS & WHEN IT WAS APRX 6 MILES NORTH OF THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH THEN QUIT. HE RESTARTED IT & ADVISED ATC THAT THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL BUT THE ENG QUIT AGAIN. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT & DUE TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN A LAKE SHORT OF THE ARPT. ALL OCCUPANTS ESCAPED THE ACFT & WERE RESCUED A SHORT TIME LATER. THE ELAPSED TIME FROM DEPARTURE TO THE ACCIDENT WAS 4 HRS 32 MINUTES. THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT THE ACFT'S CLOCK WAS 30-40 MINUTES SLOW & THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INACCURATE. HE STATED HIS PROCEDURE FOR LEANING THE FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IS TO PULL THE MIXTURE CONTROL UNTIL THE ENG BEGINS TO RUN ROUGH THEN PUSH IT IN UNTIL THE ENG RUNS SMOOTH. THE ACFT'S PERFORMANCE CHARTS USE AN EGT GAGE (WHICH WAS INSTALLED) AS A REFERENCE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED HE PERFORMED FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS FOR THE FLT & DETERMINED THAT THE ENDURACE ACCORDING TO THE ACFT PERFORMANCE CHARTS, WAS 5 HRS 42 MINUTES. THE FLT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL TANKS & WHEN IT WAS APRX 6 MILES NORTH OF THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH THEN QUIT. HE RESTARTED IT & ADVISED ATC THAT THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL BUT THE ENG QUIT AGAIN. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT & DUE TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN A LAKE SHORT OF THE ARPT. ALL OCCUPANTS ESCAPED THE ACFT & WERE RESCUED A SHORT TIME LATER. THE ELAPSED TIME FROM DEPARTURE TO THE ACCIDENT WAS 4 HRS 32 MINUTES. THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT THE ACFT'S CLOCK WAS 30-40 MINUTES SLOW & THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INACCURATE. HE STATED HIS PROCEDURE FOR LEANING THE FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IS TO PULL THE MIXTURE CONTROL UNTIL THE ENG BEGINS TO RUN ROUGH THEN PUSH IT IN UNTIL THE ENG RUNS SMOOTH. THE ACFT'S PERFORMANCE CHARTS USE AN EGT GAGE (WHICH WAS INSTALLED) AS A REFERENCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN21175
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorQuantico Marine Corps Flying
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data