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, 2001 · Piper PA-24-260 · N8710P

Napa, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Napa, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N8710P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA166

During a forced landing due to a loss of engine power on climb following a touch-and-go, the airplane touched down near the end of the runway, rolled across a field, struck a fence, and stopped in a ditch. The airplane departed 35 minutes earlier with main fuel tanks indicating half full and auxiliary fuel tanks indicating full. The pilot did not verify the indications of the fuel quantity gauges. In the accident type of airplane, takeoffs and landings must be performed with fuel being drawn from the main fuel tanks.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to verify the fuel supply before flight, and his improper fuel management, that resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power during takeoff climb resulting in a forced landing and collision with ground obstacles.

Full Narrative

On May 6, 2001, at 1204 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N8710P, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a fence during a forced landing at Napa County Airport, Napa, California. The airplane was being operated by Amphibious Adventures, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and flown by a certified flight instructor, in the right seat, who was providing instruction to a private pilot, in the left seat. The instructional flight originated from San Rafael Airport, San Rafael, California, approximately 1130. Neither the two pilots nor the two rear-seated pilot-rated passengers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight instructor stated he was providing an airplane checkout to the left seat pilot. The left seat pilot was making a touch-and-go on runway 18R. After landing and taking off, the airplane's engine sputtered, and then quit between 150 and 200 feet above ground level. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and landed straight ahead on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down near the end of the runway, rolled across a field, struck a fence, and stopped in a ditch. The flight instructor stated that during the preflight inspection, all four fuel tanks were sumped to check for fuel quality and no discrepancies were found. All four fuel tanks were checked for quantity. The two auxiliary fuel tanks were full and the two main tanks were half full, as observed by the fuel gauges. The flight instructor further stated that takeoffs and landings are to be made with fuel drawn from the main tanks only. The airplane had been flying for about 35 minutes at the time of the accident. Upon postaccident inspection, the flight instructor noted that the fuel bladder had pulled away from the tank and may have caused the fuel gauge to give an erroneous reading. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and confirmed fuel and oil were in the engine, with no obvious discrepancies noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:04 PDT
Nearest AirportNapa County (0nm)
Runway18R
Runway Length5931 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN8710P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data