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

March 31, 1989 · Piper PA-60-601P · CGWPS

Newport Beach, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1989
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Newport Beach, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-60-601P
Tail Number
CGWPS
Operator
Anthony Deis
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA140

SVRL MECHANIC WITNESSES AT THE ARPT SAID THE RGT ENG BACKFIRED & TRAILED BLACK SMOKE DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. RPRTDLY, THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS ABOUT 80% LONGER THAN NORMAL. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT STAGGERED OFF THE GROUND, WAS SLOW & NEVER GOT ABOVE 100 FEET AGL. THE PLT RPRTD TO THE TOWER THAT THE FLT HAD TO COME BACK TO THE RWY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT ENTER A STEEP LEFT TURN, APPARENTLY STALL, THEN CRASH INTO SOME TENNIS COURTS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE RGT ENG HAD LOST POWER. A MODIFICATION KIT FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR REFERENCE AIR LINES WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED & ALLOWED AN UNFILTERED AIR SOURCE. SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF RESIDUE (FROM THE RGT ENG TURBO CHARGER COMPRESSOR) REVEALED THAT IT HAD THE SAME COMPOSITION AS THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR SEAL. TRACES OF THE MATERIAL WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL INJECTOR REFERENCE AIR LINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED BEFORE MANEUVERING (TURNING) BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/INSTALLATION OF A FUEL INJECTOR REFERENCE AIR LINE, WHICH ALLOWED CONTAMINATION OF THE INJECTORS AND LOSS OF POWER IN THE RIGHT ENGINE.

Full Narrative

SVRL MECHANIC WITNESSES AT THE ARPT SAID THE RGT ENG BACKFIRED & TRAILED BLACK SMOKE DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. RPRTDLY, THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS ABOUT 80% LONGER THAN NORMAL. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT STAGGERED OFF THE GROUND, WAS SLOW & NEVER GOT ABOVE 100 FEET AGL. THE PLT RPRTD TO THE TOWER THAT THE FLT HAD TO COME BACK TO THE RWY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT ENTER A STEEP LEFT TURN, APPARENTLY STALL, THEN CRASH INTO SOME TENNIS COURTS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE RGT ENG HAD LOST POWER. A MODIFICATION KIT FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR REFERENCE AIR LINES WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED & ALLOWED AN UNFILTERED AIR SOURCE. SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF RESIDUE (FROM THE RGT ENG TURBO CHARGER COMPRESSOR) REVEALED THAT IT HAD THE SAME COMPOSITION AS THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR SEAL. TRACES OF THE MATERIAL WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL INJECTOR REFERENCE AIR LINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:35 PST
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne (0nm N)
Runway19R
Runway Length5700 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-60-601P
Tail NumberCGWPS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAnthony Deis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-S1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data