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

February 21, 1982 · Bellanca 8KCAB · N1218E

Franklin, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Franklin, WI
Aircraft
Bellanca 8KCAB
Tail Number
N1218E
Operator
William H Catlett
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA063

AFTER A 1.8 HOUR FLIGHT, THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR SERVICED THE AIRCRAFT WITH 15 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DRAINED THE SUMPS AS PART OF HIS PREFLIGHT. THE PRETAKEOFF CHECKS AND TAKEOFF ROLL WERE NORMAL. AT ABOUT 75 TO 100 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD RATHER THAN ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. HE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE ROAD, THEN LEVELED THE WINGS BEFORE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED HARD, STRUCK A ROAD SIGN ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, AND CAME TO REST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SIX GALLONS OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. APPROXIMATELY 150 GALLONS OF WATER WAS PUMPED OUT OF THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR'S FUEL TANK.

Full Narrative

AFTER A 1.8 HOUR FLIGHT, THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR SERVICED THE AIRCRAFT WITH 15 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DRAINED THE SUMPS AS PART OF HIS PREFLIGHT. THE PRETAKEOFF CHECKS AND TAKEOFF ROLL WERE NORMAL. AT ABOUT 75 TO 100 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD RATHER THAN ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. HE BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE ROAD, THEN LEVELED THE WINGS BEFORE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED HARD, STRUCK A ROAD SIGN ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, AND CAME TO REST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SIX GALLONS OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. APPROXIMATELY 150 GALLONS OF WATER WAS PUMPED OUT OF THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR'S FUEL TANK.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CST
Nearest AirportRAINBOW (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2140 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8KCAB
Tail NumberN1218E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam H Catlett
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-H1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data