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
January 5, 1989 · Boeing E75 · N52124
Salisbury, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Salisbury, NC
Aircraft
Boeing E75
Tail Number
N52124
Operator
Terry S Pendleton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA069
DURING TAKEOFF FM A TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG SPUTTERED, EMITTED BLACK SMOKE FM THE EXHAUST & HAD A PARTIAL PWR LOSS. THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT WAS TOO FAR DOWN THE RWY TO ABORT, SO HE CONTD THE TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A POLE NEAR THE DEP END OF THE RWY & WAS LANDED IN A FIELD. HARD BRAKING WAS USE TO AVOID OBJECTS WHILE LNDG & THE ACFT NOSED OVR. INV REVEALED A MIX OF AVGAS & AUTOGAS WAS USED. THE PLT SAID HE CLEARED THE ENG ON BASE LEG & THAT CARB HEAT WAS OFF MOMENTARILY WHEN HE APPLIED PWR FOR A GO-AROUND. SOOT WAS FND ON THE #3 & #5 SPARK PLUGS. ABT 60 MI WEST AT HICKORY, NC, THE 1400 EST TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 45 & 21 DEG. ACCORDING TO CARB ICE CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE WITH THE ENG OPERG AT GLIDE PWR. AN STC HAD BEEN DEVELOPED FOR USE OF AUTO FUEL IN W-670-6N ENGS.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN CARBURETOR ICE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND OBSTRUCTION(S)/UTILITY POLE NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
DURING TAKEOFF FM A TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG SPUTTERED, EMITTED BLACK SMOKE FM THE EXHAUST & HAD A PARTIAL PWR LOSS. THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT WAS TOO FAR DOWN THE RWY TO ABORT, SO HE CONTD THE TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A POLE NEAR THE DEP END OF THE RWY & WAS LANDED IN A FIELD. HARD BRAKING WAS USE TO AVOID OBJECTS WHILE LNDG & THE ACFT NOSED OVR. INV REVEALED A MIX OF AVGAS & AUTOGAS WAS USED. THE PLT SAID HE CLEARED THE ENG ON BASE LEG & THAT CARB HEAT WAS OFF MOMENTARILY WHEN HE APPLIED PWR FOR A GO-AROUND. SOOT WAS FND ON THE #3 & #5 SPARK PLUGS. ABT 60 MI WEST AT HICKORY, NC, THE 1400 EST TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 45 & 21 DEG. ACCORDING TO CARB ICE CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE WITH THE ENG OPERG AT GLIDE PWR. AN STC HAD BEEN DEVELOPED FOR USE OF AUTO FUEL IN W-670-6N ENGS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing E75
Tail NumberN52124
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTerry S Pendleton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W-670-6N · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC