Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
March 2, 1982 · Mooney M20F · N6318Q
Belton, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Belton, KY
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N6318Q
Operator
David E Rabold
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DA064
AFTER LEVELING AT 2500 FT, OIL FUMES WERE NOTED, BUT NO ABNORMAL INDICATIONS WERE NOTED ON THE ENGINE GAUGES. THE PILOT SUSPECTED OIL HAD BEEN SPILLED DURING A REPAIR BEFORE TAKEOFF. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO INCREASE & WAS ADJUSTED BY THE PILOT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A ROAD & LANDED IN A FIELD. THE MAIN GEAR FAILED AFTER HITTING A DITCH. THE RIGHT WING WAS DAMAGED AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND & THE LEFT WING HIT A FENCE. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THERE WAS OIL ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE. A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE CASE BETWEEN THE NUMBER 2 & 4 CYLINDERS. THE INLET OIL LINE TO THE OIL COOLER HAD CHAFED AGAINST THE EXHAUST STACK & WAS LEAKING. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROUTED UNDER A HEAT SHIELD & AWAY FROM THE EXHAUST STACK. THE OIL LINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STANDARD, MEDIUM PRESSURE, STRATOFLEX HOSE (MIL-H-8794D) REINFORCED WITH A FIBER BRAIDS & A STEEL BRAID. THE INSTALLED HOSE HAD A SINGLE FIBER BRAID COVERING.
Full Narrative
AFTER LEVELING AT 2500 FT, OIL FUMES WERE NOTED, BUT NO ABNORMAL INDICATIONS WERE NOTED ON THE ENGINE GAUGES. THE PILOT SUSPECTED OIL HAD BEEN SPILLED DURING A REPAIR BEFORE TAKEOFF. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO INCREASE & WAS ADJUSTED BY THE PILOT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A ROAD & LANDED IN A FIELD. THE MAIN GEAR FAILED AFTER HITTING A DITCH. THE RIGHT WING WAS DAMAGED AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND & THE LEFT WING HIT A FENCE. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THERE WAS OIL ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE. A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE CASE BETWEEN THE NUMBER 2 & 4 CYLINDERS. THE INLET OIL LINE TO THE OIL COOLER HAD CHAFED AGAINST THE EXHAUST STACK & WAS LEAKING. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROUTED UNDER A HEAT SHIELD & AWAY FROM THE EXHAUST STACK. THE OIL LINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STANDARD, MEDIUM PRESSURE, STRATOFLEX HOSE (MIL-H-8794D) REINFORCED WITH A FIBER BRAIDS & A STEEL BRAID. THE INSTALLED HOSE HAD A SINGLE FIBER BRAID COVERING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN6318Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid E Rabold
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0