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

January 20, 2002 · Piper PA-18 · N7113K

Clear Lake, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clear Lake, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N7113K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA065

The airplane collided with two fences during a forced landing to a field following an engine failure while in the traffic pattern. The pilot said that he had performed three "run ups" and was going to perform "...some take-offs and landings after the annual." He said that after take-off, at about 400 feet agl, the engine lost power and quit. He said that he had just turned from the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern to the downwind leg. The pilot stated that he could not make it back to the airport, and could not land directly ahead due to obstructions. The pilot said that he attempted to land in a field but the field did not have enough room for the landing and he hit two fences before coming to rest. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. The engine was subsequently test run on the airframe and no anomalies were found. The weather observing station located about 7 miles and 330 degrees from the accident recorded the temperature as -3 degrees Celsius and the dewpoint as -7 degrees Celsius at 1453. According to a Transport Canada carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dewpoint fall in the range for light icing at cruise or descent power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing. Factors were the low altitude and the fences.

Full Narrative

On January 20, 2002, about 1500 central standard time, a Piper PA-18, N7113K, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with fences during a forced landing to a field near Clear Lake, Minnesota. The airplane was reported to have lost engine power during climb out after takeoff from runway 18 (3,000 feet by 150 feet, asphalt/turf), at the Leaders Clear Lake Airport, Clear Lake, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan and was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot said that he had performed three "run ups" and was going to perform "...some take-offs and landings after the annual." He said that after take-off, at about 400 feet agl, the engine lost power and quit. He said that he had just turned from the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern to the downwind leg. The pilot stated that he could not make it back to the airport, and could not land directly ahead due to obstructions. The pilot said that he attempted to land in a field but the field did not have enough room for the landing and he hit two fences before coming to rest. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. The engine was subsequently test run on the airframe and no anomalies were found. The weather observing station located about 7 miles and 330 degrees from the accident recorded the temperature as -3 degrees Celsius and the dewpoint as -7 degrees Celsius at 1453. According to a Transport Canada carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dew point fall in the range for light icing at cruise or descent power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportLeaders Clear Lake (1nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN7113K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.53 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data