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

October 14, 2001 · Stinson 108-3 · N735C

Rosamond, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Rosamond, CA
Aircraft
Stinson 108-3
Tail Number
N735C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA006

The airplane collided with terrain and nosed over during an attempted takeoff. The pilot reported that the airplane did not develop sufficient airspeed during the takeoff roll. At the decision point, the pilot noticed a berm that was 2-feet high at the end of the runway. He felt that he did not have enough room to stop so he proceeded at full power and "jerked" the airplane into the air. The airplane started to sink, and he applied full aft elevator. The airplane stalled about 2 feet above the ground, touched down again, and the right main gear struck a bush and sheared off. The airplane came to rest inverted and was consumed by post impact fire. A witness who purchased the engine from the pilot reported that the camshaft had a disintegrated bearing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed during the attempted takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush. The airplane's failure to accelerate was due to a disintegrated bearing on the camshaft. The pilot's failure to make a timely abort decision was a factor.

Full Narrative

On October 14, 2001, at 1103 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N735C, collided with terrain during an attempted takeoff from the Ancient Valley Airstrip near Rosamond, California. The owner was operating the airplane on a personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and one passenger was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the airplane did not develop sufficient airspeed during the takeoff roll. At the decision point, the pilot noticed a berm that was 2-feet high at the end of the runway. He felt that he did not have enough room to stop so he proceeded at full power and "jerked" the airplane into the air. The airplane started to sink, he closed the throttle, and applied full aft elevator. The airplane stalled about 2 feet above the ground and rolled about 20 feet. The right main gear struck a bush and sheared off. The airplane came to rest inverted and was consumed by post impact fire. A witness stated in a telephone interview that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane. The witness observed the takeoff. He stated that when the airplane was about halfway down the runway, the tail was on the ground. At almost full airstrip length, one of the main gear went through dirt, the nose hit the ground, and the right main gear broke on ground impact. The pilot told the witness that the airplane "didn't seem to make as much power as he thought it should." The witness further stated that he purchased the engine from the accident airplane, and the camshaft was found to have a disintegrated bearing when it was disassembled.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:03 PDT
Nearest AirportAncient Valley (0nm NNE)
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-3
Tail NumberN735C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4165 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data