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 29, 1988 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N2074T

Dover, DE

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Dover, DE
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N2074T
Operator
Sheldon Milner
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO89LA005

AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT BEGAN A CRUISE CLIMB TO 5500 FT. HE RPRTD THAT WHEN THE ACFT REACHED 5200 FT, HE NOTICED OIL SPRAYING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE ENG COWLING. THE OIL EVENTUALLY COVERED THE WINDSCREEN. THE PLT DIVERTED TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT, BUT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, SO HE OPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD. THE ENGINE QUIT DURING THE LNDG APCH. DRG THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE, DAMAGING THE WINGS & LEFT MAIN GEAR. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE PROP GOVERNOR OIL LINE HAD FRACTURED AT A BEND, NEXT TO WHERE IT CONNECTED TO THE GOVERNOR. TWO CLAMPS FOR SECURING THE OIL LINE WERE MISSING. THE OWNER RPRTD THAT THE GOVERNOR OIL LINE HAD BEEN REPLACED 41 OPERATING HRS BEFORE THE ACDNT. HE SAID THAT DRG THE EMERG LANDING, HE DID NOT SEE THE FENCE DUE TO OIL ON THE WINDSCREEN.

Full Narrative

AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT BEGAN A CRUISE CLIMB TO 5500 FT. HE RPRTD THAT WHEN THE ACFT REACHED 5200 FT, HE NOTICED OIL SPRAYING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE ENG COWLING. THE OIL EVENTUALLY COVERED THE WINDSCREEN. THE PLT DIVERTED TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT, BUT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, SO HE OPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD. THE ENGINE QUIT DURING THE LNDG APCH. DRG THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE, DAMAGING THE WINGS & LEFT MAIN GEAR. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE PROP GOVERNOR OIL LINE HAD FRACTURED AT A BEND, NEXT TO WHERE IT CONNECTED TO THE GOVERNOR. TWO CLAMPS FOR SECURING THE OIL LINE WERE MISSING. THE OWNER RPRTD THAT THE GOVERNOR OIL LINE HAD BEEN REPLACED 41 OPERATING HRS BEFORE THE ACDNT. HE SAID THAT DRG THE EMERG LANDING, HE DID NOT SEE THE FENCE DUE TO OIL ON THE WINDSCREEN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN2074T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSheldon Milner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data