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

November 15, 1987 · Piper PA-24-260B · N9039P

Akron, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Akron, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260B
Tail Number
N9039P
Operator
Bruce G Deckinga
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA024

BFR TKOF, SNOW WAS MELTED OFF THE ACFT IN A HEATED HANGAR. THE FLT WAS BGN IN BLOWING SNOW WITH A FORECAST OF OCNL MOD ICING TO 20,000'. THE PLT SAID THE SNOW LASTED ONLY 5 TO 10 MIN & ONLY A TRACE OF ICE (LESS 1/16 INCH) ACCUMULATED DRG THE 1ST 15 MIN OF FLT. NO FURTHER ACCUMULATION OF ICE WAS NOTED. APRX 45 MIN AFTER TKOF, WHILE CRUISING IN IMC CONDUCIVETO INDUCTION SYS ICING, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST PWR & WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PLT DSCNDD TWD AN ARPT IN IMC TO APRX 400' AGL, BUT MADE A WHEELS-UP LNDG WHEN HE COULD NOT SEE THE ARPT. HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF PWR TO BLOCKAGE OF THE AIR INDUCTION FILTER. THE INDUCTION SYS WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SPRING LOADED DOOR WHICH WAS INTENDED TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY & ALLOW HEATED ALTN AIR TO FLOW TO THE ENG IN THE EVENT THE FILTER BCM BLOCKED. NONETHELESS, PIPER INDCD THAT OPN IN ICINGCONDS COULD CAUSE ICE TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYS & RESULT IN LOSS OF PWR. TO AVOID THIS, PIPER SVC BULLETINNO: 861 WAS ISSUED ON 5/4/87 FOR INSTLN OF AN IMPROVED MANUALLY OPERATED ALTN AIR SYS ON FUEL INJECTED PA-24-260 ACFT.

Full Narrative

BFR TKOF, SNOW WAS MELTED OFF THE ACFT IN A HEATED HANGAR. THE FLT WAS BGN IN BLOWING SNOW WITH A FORECAST OF OCNL MOD ICING TO 20,000'. THE PLT SAID THE SNOW LASTED ONLY 5 TO 10 MIN & ONLY A TRACE OF ICE (LESS 1/16 INCH) ACCUMULATED DRG THE 1ST 15 MIN OF FLT. NO FURTHER ACCUMULATION OF ICE WAS NOTED. APRX 45 MIN AFTER TKOF, WHILE CRUISING IN IMC CONDUCIVETO INDUCTION SYS ICING, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST PWR & WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PLT DSCNDD TWD AN ARPT IN IMC TO APRX 400' AGL, BUT MADE A WHEELS-UP LNDG WHEN HE COULD NOT SEE THE ARPT. HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF PWR TO BLOCKAGE OF THE AIR INDUCTION FILTER. THE INDUCTION SYS WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SPRING LOADED DOOR WHICH WAS INTENDED TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY & ALLOW HEATED ALTN AIR TO FLOW TO THE ENG IN THE EVENT THE FILTER BCM BLOCKED. NONETHELESS, PIPER INDCD THAT OPN IN ICINGCONDS COULD CAUSE ICE TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYS & RESULT IN LOSS OF PWR. TO AVOID THIS, PIPER SVC BULLETINNO: 861 WAS ISSUED ON 5/4/87 FOR INSTLN OF AN IMPROVED MANUALLY OPERATED ALTN AIR SYS ON FUEL INJECTED PA-24-260 ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:42 MST
Nearest AirportAkron-Washington County (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-260B
Tail NumberN9039P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBruce G Deckinga
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 16 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data