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 6, 1983 · Piper PA-31-350 · N278MW

Clinton, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Clinton, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N278MW
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC83LA103

WHILE CRUISING AT 8,500 FT THE PAX IN THE RIGHT SEAT NOTICED THAT THE OIL FILLER ACCESS DOOR ON TOP OF THE RIGHT ENG WASOPEN & OIL WAS LEAKING. THE PLT CHECKED THE ENG INSTRUMENTS & THE ONLY ABNORMAL READING WAS A LOW MANIFOLD PRESSURE READING ON THE LEFT ENG. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT CLINTON. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN HE HEARD THE LEFT ENG CUTTING OUT. REMEMBERING THE EARLIER INDICATION O LOW MP ON THE LEFT ENG, HE THOUGHT THE LEFT ENG WAS FAILING & FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP. HE RETRACTED GEAR & FLAPS, BUT THE RIGHT ENG WOULD NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER & THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD. EXAM OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE #4 CYL. INITIATION HAD OCCURRED AT PRE-EXISTING SHARP-BOTTOMED DENTS IN THE TWO CRACKED FINS WITH PROPAGATION TOWARD & INTO THE CYL. THE LEFT ENG WAS RUN & THE ONLY DEFICIENCY NOTED WAS THAT THE ENG RAN RICHER THAN NORMAL AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

Full Narrative

WHILE CRUISING AT 8,500 FT THE PAX IN THE RIGHT SEAT NOTICED THAT THE OIL FILLER ACCESS DOOR ON TOP OF THE RIGHT ENG WASOPEN & OIL WAS LEAKING. THE PLT CHECKED THE ENG INSTRUMENTS & THE ONLY ABNORMAL READING WAS A LOW MANIFOLD PRESSURE READING ON THE LEFT ENG. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT CLINTON. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN HE HEARD THE LEFT ENG CUTTING OUT. REMEMBERING THE EARLIER INDICATION O LOW MP ON THE LEFT ENG, HE THOUGHT THE LEFT ENG WAS FAILING & FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP. HE RETRACTED GEAR & FLAPS, BUT THE RIGHT ENG WOULD NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER & THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD. EXAM OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE #4 CYL. INITIATION HAD OCCURRED AT PRE-EXISTING SHARP-BOTTOMED DENTS IN THE TWO CRACKED FINS WITH PROPAGATION TOWARD & INTO THE CYL. THE LEFT ENG WAS RUN & THE ONLY DEFICIENCY NOTED WAS THAT THE ENG RAN RICHER THAN NORMAL AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 CDT
Nearest AirportClinton Memorial (1nm NE)
Runway22
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN278MW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 22 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data