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

May 31, 1983 · Piper PA-23C-250 · N6103Y

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1983
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23C-250
Tail Number
N6103Y
Operator
Lucaya Beach Air Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA83FA149

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT LOSING ALTITUDE AND SUDDENLYFLIPPED TO THE LEFT CRASHING ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE ARPT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK. THE LANDING GEAR WAS REPORTED IN A DOWN POSITION. AN AIRLINE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE IN DIFFICULTY AFTER TAKEOFF AS IT BEGAN TO PORPOISE. APPARENTLY THE GEAR WAS NOT RETRACTED AS THE PLT FOUGHT THE ACFT AND AS HE BEGAN A TURN TO THE LEFT. HE OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN COMPLETELY UPSIDE DOWN, POINT NEARLY STRAIGHT DOWN AND EXPLODE ON CONTACT. ONE WITNESS REPORTED 'THE LEFT ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND I COULD SEE SMOKE ALSO.' THE MAXIMUM ALT ATTAINED BY THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED AS 55 FT. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF POWER PLANT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT LOSING ALTITUDE AND SUDDENLYFLIPPED TO THE LEFT CRASHING ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE ARPT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK. THE LANDING GEAR WAS REPORTED IN A DOWN POSITION. AN AIRLINE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE IN DIFFICULTY AFTER TAKEOFF AS IT BEGAN TO PORPOISE. APPARENTLY THE GEAR WAS NOT RETRACTED AS THE PLT FOUGHT THE ACFT AND AS HE BEGAN A TURN TO THE LEFT. HE OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN COMPLETELY UPSIDE DOWN, POINT NEARLY STRAIGHT DOWN AND EXPLODE ON CONTACT. ONE WITNESS REPORTED 'THE LEFT ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND I COULD SEE SMOKE ALSO.' THE MAXIMUM ALT ATTAINED BY THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED AS 55 FT. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF POWER PLANT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:11 EDT
Nearest AirportFt. Lauderdale (1nm E)
Runway9R
Runway Length5316 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVfif
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23C-250
Tail NumberN6103Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLucaya Beach Air Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 13 kt, gusting 27 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data