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

September 23, 2001 · Cessna 182 · N3961D

North Pole, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
North Pole, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N3961D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA134

The certificated commerical pilot was conducting skydiving operations in the vicinity of the accident airport. After the airplane climbed to about 11,500 feet msl, all three of the skydivers aboard exited the airplane, and the pilot began a descent to return to the departure airport. The pilot said that while on approach, all engine power was lost, and emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power. The airplane collided with trees and sustained extensive damage to the wings, and fuselage. A responding FAA inspector gathered a fuel sample from the accident airplane's carburetor float bowl. Laboratory analysis of the sample revealed the sample met the specifications for aviation fuel. Contaminates in the fuel sample consisted of vegetative material, dirt, sand, and wood pieces.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power, due to contaminated fuel, during approach for landing. A factor associated with the accident was unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 23, 2001, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 182 airplane, N3961D, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, while on approach to land at the Bradley Sky-Ranch Airport, North Pole, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident airport, about 1020. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Fairbanks, Alaska, Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident scene on September 23. The FAA inspector examined the airplane, and interviewed the accident pilot. According to the FAA inspector, the accident pilot related that the airplane was being utilized to support skydiving operations in the vicinity of the accident airport. The pilot said that after climbing the airplane to about 11,500 feet msl, and after all three of the skydivers aboard exited the airplane, he began his descent to return to the Bradley Sky-Ranch Airport. The pilot said that while on approach to runway 15, all engine power was lost, and that emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power. The pilot selected a forced landing area that contained trees. The airplane collided with trees, and sustained extensive damage to the wings and fuselage. The FAA inspector obtained about one cup of fuel from the carburetor float bowl. The fuel sample was sent to a laboratory in Anchorage, Alaska, for examination and testing. The fuel sample met the specifications for aviation fuel. Analysis of the visible contaminates in the fuel sample revealed that the sample contained vegetative material, dirt, sand, and wood pieces. The pilot supplied a written statement, but did not submit a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/20).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportBradley Sky-Ranch (1nm NNW)
Runway15
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN3961D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data