NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

March 25, 1982 · Piper PA-28-151 · N6909J

Annville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Annville, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N6909J
Operator
Decarlos Rest
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC82FGT09

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED WHEN HE SWITCHED FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, BUT STOPPED AGAIN. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE LEFT WING, FUEL TANK VENT WAS BLOCKED; HOWEVER, THE SAFETY HOLE ABOVE AND BEHIND THE VENT WAS OPEN. ALSO, BOTH FUEL TANK CAP VENTS WERE FUNCTIONAL. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE, EXCEPT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE NO. 3 BOTTOM SPARK PLUG LEAD WAS SHORTED AT A CUT NEAR THE PLUG TERMINAL.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED WHEN HE SWITCHED FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, BUT STOPPED AGAIN. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE LEFT WING, FUEL TANK VENT WAS BLOCKED; HOWEVER, THE SAFETY HOLE ABOVE AND BEHIND THE VENT WAS OPEN. ALSO, BOTH FUEL TANK CAP VENTS WERE FUNCTIONAL. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE, EXCEPT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE NO. 3 BOTTOM SPARK PLUG LEAD WAS SHORTED AT A CUT NEAR THE PLUG TERMINAL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:43 EST
Nearest AirportMILLARD (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN6909J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDecarlos Rest
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDusk
Wind130° @ 9 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg

External Links

Appendix: Source Data