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

August 4, 1986 · Grumman TBM-3E · N6581D

Brooklyn, CT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Brooklyn, CT
Aircraft
Grumman TBM-3E
Tail Number
N6581D
Operator
Professional Aircraft Sales
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FA196

THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN TO THE OWNER'S RESIDENCE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED EMITTING FROM THE ENG COWLING AND THE ENG WAS HEARD SPUTTERING. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT LEVELED OFF AT AN ALT OF APRX 250-400 FT AGL AND BEGAN A LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT. A WITNESS STATED THE ACFT THEN ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE #8 AND #10 PISTON HEADS EACH HAD A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THEM.PISTON #1, #13, #14, #2, AND #3 ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1983. THE ACFT HAD BEEN ISSUED A FERRY PERMIT FOR THIS FLT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN TO THE OWNER'S RESIDENCE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED EMITTING FROM THE ENG COWLING AND THE ENG WAS HEARD SPUTTERING. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT LEVELED OFF AT AN ALT OF APRX 250-400 FT AGL AND BEGAN A LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT. A WITNESS STATED THE ACFT THEN ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE #8 AND #10 PISTON HEADS EACH HAD A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THEM.PISTON #1, #13, #14, #2, AND #3 ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1983. THE ACFT HAD BEEN ISSUED A FERRY PERMIT FOR THIS FLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman TBM-3E
Tail NumberN6581D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorProfessional Aircraft Sales
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R2600-20 · Reciprocating · 1700
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 9 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data