NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

February 12, 1989 · Piper PA-23-250 · N5112Y

Huntersville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Huntersville, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N5112Y
Operator
Cross Motor
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89LA087

THE PLT REPORTED THAT BLUE SMOKE AND OIL WERE OBSERVED TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE AND WING DURING APPROACH. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, FLAMES WERE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE NACELLE. THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE, AND AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE. THE LEFT WING BROKE OFF DURING ROLLOUT. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE SHORTLY AFTER COMING TO STOP. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE; HE REPORTED THAT THE EXTENT OF THE FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED DETERMINATION OF THE EXACT SOURCE OF THE FIRE. HE NOTED THAT HE FOUND OIL-SOAKED PAINT CHIPS ALONG THE AIRPLANE FLIGHT PATH ABOUT 900 FT BEFORE THE TOUCH DOWN POINT.

NTSB Probable Cause

FIRE RESULTING FROM AN OIL LEAK OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT ENGINE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT BLUE SMOKE AND OIL WERE OBSERVED TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE AND WING DURING APPROACH. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, FLAMES WERE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE NACELLE. THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE, AND AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE. THE LEFT WING BROKE OFF DURING ROLLOUT. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE SHORTLY AFTER COMING TO STOP. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE; HE REPORTED THAT THE EXTENT OF THE FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED DETERMINATION OF THE EXACT SOURCE OF THE FIRE. HE NOTED THAT HE FOUND OIL-SOAKED PAINT CHIPS ALONG THE AIRPLANE FLIGHT PATH ABOUT 900 FT BEFORE THE TOUCH DOWN POINT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EST
Nearest AirportBRADFPRD (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length3850 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN5112Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCross Motor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data