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

June 16, 1989 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5432P

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5432P
Operator
Fauhlhaber Donald A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA214

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LANDED IN A DIRT AREA ON THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCAFT ON THE SITE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE FUEL LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL WERE RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS RESTING NOSE DOWN. NO FUEL LEAKAGE WAS OBSERVED. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING THE POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE OR THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES AND WAS FOUND TO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FULL POWER.

NTSB Probable Cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT SELECTION OF THE OFF POSITION ON THE FUEL SELECTOR.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LANDED IN A DIRT AREA ON THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCAFT ON THE SITE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE FUEL LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL WERE RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS RESTING NOSE DOWN. NO FUEL LEAKAGE WAS OBSERVED. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING THE POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE OR THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES AND WAS FOUND TO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FULL POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:29 PDT
Nearest AirportBrown Field (0nm N)
Runway26R
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5432P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFauhlhaber Donald A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1B · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 11 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:48
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data