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

June 8, 2001 · Boeing Stearman A-75 · N4558N

Marissa, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Marissa, IL
Aircraft
Boeing Stearman A-75
Tail Number
N4558N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA164

The airplane was damaged while maneuvering to avoid power lines on takeoff. The airplane propeller was changed just prior to the flight. The pilot said that the airplane was not performing as expected and he didn't think he could clear the power lines. He said that he was attempting to land in a field on the left side of the 2,100 foot long grass runway when the wing tip contacted the ground and the airplane, "flipped over on it's back." The pilot said that the engine was operating as expected and the static RPM, "seemed okay." He said the airplane performance was better prior to the propeller change.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's manuever to avoid obstructions and his failure to abort takeoff. The pilot's failure to establish adequate climb, and the transmission wire are contributing factors.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2001, at 1500 central daylight time, a Boeing Stearman A-75, N4558N, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a north-south oriented runway (2,100 feet by 150 feet, grass/turf) at the Herschel Hunter Airport in Marissa, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was the sole occupant and sustained no injuries. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot said, "Replaced McCauley prop with fresh overhauled McCauley prop. Took airplane to end of runway [and] slowly applied power. Was two hundred feet down runway before throttle was full open. Airplane broke ground but didn't climb like normal and I was afraid I wasn't going to clear [the] high voltage power line so [I] attempted to land in field on left side of runway (land is level) and caught wing tip in turn and airplane flipped over on it's back headed the other direction. I think the prop was not set right for this airplane and wouldn't climb right." The aircraft propeller is a McCauley 41D5926 ground adjustable pitch propeller. The type certificate data sheet for the airplane states that with this propeller installed, the static rpm of the engine should be no more than 1925 rpm and no less than 1575 rpm. In a telephone interview, the pilot said that the static RPM "seemed okay" and that the engine was operating as expected. He said that the performance was better prior to the propeller change.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHerschel Hunter (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing Stearman A-75
Tail NumberN4558N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W670-6A · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 75 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data