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

July 3, 2001 · Piper PA-28-140 · N8007N

Mecosta, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Mecosta, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N8007N
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI01LA197

The airplane was turning towards the departure airport following a reported sputtering of the engine by witnesses. The engine then stopped and the left wing dropped. Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel lines leading to the carburetor. The fuel selector was positioned onto the left fuel tank which was found not to contain any usable fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and fuel starvation. Additional causes were the aircraft control not maintained, and the inadvertent stall by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On July 3, 2001, at 1655 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8007N, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during climbout from the Canadian Lakes Airport, Mecosta, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported that the airplane departed in a southerly direction. At approximately 200 feet agl, the engine began sputtering. The airplane made a right climbing banked turn and gained 50-100 feet at which time the engine quit. The engine stopped and the left wing dropped. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the fuel selector was selected to the left fuel tank. The left fuel tank did not contain fuel and the right tank contained 15 gallons of fuel. The fuel line from the electric pump to the engine driven pump did not contain fuel. The fuel line leading to the carburetor did not contain fuel. The carburetor fuel bowl contained fuel level which was less than 1/16 inch in depth. The engine was rotated and compression was obtained from all cylinders and engine continuity was established. Electrical continuity of both magnetos was confirmed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:55 EDT
Nearest AirportCanadian Lakes (0nm W)
Runway18
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN8007N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 78 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 8 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time21:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data