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 17, 2001 · Cessna 188B · N4784R

Whiteville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Whiteville, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N4784R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL02LA015

According to the pilot, while conducting a routine aerial application swath run, the airplane's engine lost power and collided with a berm during an emergency landing. Examination of the engine assembly disclosed that the engine driven fuel pump failed as the pilot maneuvered a swath run. The examination also discovered metal debris in the fuel screen assembly that restricted fuel flow. When the debris was removed, fuel flow returned to normal.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the engine driven fuel pump that contaminated the fuel system and restricted fuel flow to the engine.. A factor is rough/uneven terrain.

Full Narrative

On October 17, 2001, at 1110 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N4784R, registered to a private owner and operated by the commercial pilot, collided with a berm during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power near Whiteville, Tennessee. The aerial application flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight departed William L. Whitehurst Field in Bolivar, Tennessee, at 0930. According to the pilot, while conducting a spray run across a cotton field, the engine lost power. He pulled up to clear the trees and tried to restart the engine. He stated that the prop was windmilling, and he had approximately six to eight seconds to attempt the restart before the emergency landing. The pilot landed in an open field north of where he was making his spray run. The airplane touched down and collided with a four-foot terrace in a small washout area. The airplane turned sideways and slid to a stop. When the airplane collided into the washout area, the tail section separated from the airframe. During the post-accident examination of the airplane, metal debris was recovered from the fuel screen assembly. Further examination of the fuel screen revealed partial blockage and fuel flow restriction. After the screen was cleaned, fuel flow returned to normal. An auxiliary pump was used to check the fuel flow; the engine-driven fuel pump had malfunctioned.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 CDT
Nearest AirportBolivar, Hardiman Co (0nm)
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN4784R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · I0520D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 34 C
Altimeter30.43 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data