Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
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.
Parksley, VA
The pilot completed the engine run up checks, and then taxied the homebuilt airplane onto the 1,100-foot grass runway. He advanced the throttle, and the engine responded normally. The pilot released the brakes, and the airplane started to accelerate. During the ground roll, the pilot noticed no change in engine noise or rpm, but felt the airplane was accelerating slower than normal, which he contributed to the fact it had rained the day before, making the ground soft and the grass wet. Even with the reduced acceleration, he felt he could safely continue the takeoff. The airplane lifted off about 2/3 down the runway, striking some power lines during the initial climb, and then impacted the ground. The pilot reported he experienced no preimpact failures or malfunctions with the airplane, and that the airplane normally utilizes 300 to 500 feet of runway before lifting off.
The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the soft wet runway.
On March 16, 2002, about 1640 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Fisher FP-202, N4348V, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground after striking wires during takeoff from a private airstrip near Parksley, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was destined for Crisfield Municipal Airport (W41), Crisfield, Maryland. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he boarded the airplane, started the engine, and taxied short of a 1,100-foot grass runway. He completed the engine run up checks, and then taxied onto the runway for an east departure. The pilot advanced the throttle and the engine responded normally, with the engine RPM stabilizing around 6,100. The pilot released the brakes, and the airplane started to accelerate. During the ground roll, the pilot noticed no change in engine noise or rpm, but felt the airplane was accelerating slower than normal. He contributed the slower acceleration to the fact it had rained the day before, making the ground soft and the grass wet. Even with the reduced acceleration, the pilot felt he could safely continue the takeoff. The airplane lifted off about 2/3 down the runway. On initial climb, the airplane struck a set of power lines, which caused the nose to pitch down. The pilot applied left rudder to avoid hitting a house, and the airplane struck the ground in an open area. The pilot reported that he experienced no preimpact failures or malfunctions with the airplane. In addition, he contributed the accident to his decision to continue the takeoff, and the increased ground roll caused by the soft runway conditions. The pilot added that normally the airplane used 300 to 500 feet of runway before becoming airborne.