Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
July 23, 1983 · Piper PA-22-150 · N3936P
Merritt Island, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Merritt Island, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N3936P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA83LA190
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLT, HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS, BUT RELIED OF THE FUEL GAUGES. THEY INDICATED THERE WAS 7 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & 4 GAL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PLT TOOK OFF USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK TO PRACTICE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THEN A SHORT TIME LATER, CHANGED TO THE RIGHT TANK. WHILE TAKING OFF FROM THE 2ND TOUCH-AND-GO, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 400 FT AGL. THE PLT ATTTEMPTED TO SWITCH BACK TO THE LEFT TANK, BUT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK ON THE RIGHT TANK. THE ACFT CAME TO REST, UPRIGHT, IN A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE PLT REPORT THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT WENT INTO HEAVY BRUSH & THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE LOCATION OF THE DITCH. FOUR GAL OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE THE LEFT TANK, BUT NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLT, HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS, BUT RELIED OF THE FUEL GAUGES. THEY INDICATED THERE WAS 7 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & 4 GAL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PLT TOOK OFF USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK TO PRACTICE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THEN A SHORT TIME LATER, CHANGED TO THE RIGHT TANK. WHILE TAKING OFF FROM THE 2ND TOUCH-AND-GO, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 400 FT AGL. THE PLT ATTTEMPTED TO SWITCH BACK TO THE LEFT TANK, BUT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK ON THE RIGHT TANK. THE ACFT CAME TO REST, UPRIGHT, IN A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE PLT REPORT THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT WENT INTO HEAVY BRUSH & THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE LOCATION OF THE DITCH. FOUR GAL OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE THE LEFT TANK, BUT NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 EDT
Nearest AirportMerritt Island (0nm N)
Runway29
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN3936P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC