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.
Price, TX
The pilot retarded the throttle and initiated a descent to deviate around a cloud. Once clear of the cloud, the pilot advanced the throttle and initiated a climb back to the cruise altitude; however, power did not develop and gradually decreased. Engine power continued to decrease and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; however, was unsuccessful. He executed a forced landing to a field. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious induction icing at a glide power setting. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing fuel tank contained 12 gallons of fuel and the right wing fuel tank was compromised during the impact. The cockpit fuel selector placard was mounted upside-down; therefore, provided an incorrect reading to the pilot. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the OFF position; however, the placard that was installed at the time of the accident would have indicated that the selected fuel tank was the LEFT tank. The pilot did not recall the position of the cockpit fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing.
On August 31, 2002, approximately 1730 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 single-engine airplane, N3961K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Price, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Canton-Hackney Airport, Canton, Texas, approximately 1700, and was destined for the Gregg County Airport, Longview, Texas. According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight, approximately 2,500 feet, when he retarded the throttle and initiated a descent to deviate around a cloud. Once clear of the cloud, the pilot advanced the throttle and initiated a climb back to the cruise altitude; however, power did not develop and gradually decreased. He increased the throttle to obtain full power; however, the maximum attained rpm was 1400-1500, and the engine power continued to decrease. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; however, was unsuccessful and initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the propeller blades were bent, the right wing separated at the wing root, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear separated, and the fuselage was wrinkled. The pilot did not recall the position of the cockpit fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power. The temperature and dew point were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart for light aircraft. The results revealed that the conditions were favorable for the formation of serious induction icing at a glide power setting. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing fuel tank contained 12 gallons of fuel and the right wing fuel tank was compromised during the impact. The cockpit fuel selector placard was mounted upside-down; therefore it provided an incorrect reading to the pilot. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the OFF position; however, the placard that was installed at the time of the accident would have indicated that the selected fuel tank was the LEFT tank.