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

June 25, 1982 · Bellanca 7ECA · N4214Y

Ft. Meade, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 25, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ft. Meade, MD
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ECA
Tail Number
N4214Y
Operator
Ft Meade Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DA178

The pilot reported that the carburetor heat operated during an engine run-up before takeoff, and that he used the carburetor heat during each landing. During a touch-and-go, he lifted off at 65 kts, but the plane settled and would not climb out of ground effect. He aborted the takeoff and the plane continued off the end of the runway. The pilot said that he intentionally ground looped the plane to avoid obstructions. During the ground loop, the left main gear attachment U-bolt failed at an old crack. An investigation revealed that a carburetor heat control clamp was loose and allowed the carburetor heat to remain "off." The cable had been re-rigged about 71 tach hrs prior to the accident. Also, the air intake boot was improperly positioned and allowed unfiltered air to enter the carburetor. The temperature and dew point were 81 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. According to icing probability charts, a serious carburetor icing hazard would have occurred at low power settings.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT OPERATED DURING AN ENGINE RUN-UP BEFORE TAKEOFF, AND THAT HE USED THE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING EACH LANDING. DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO, HE LIFTED OFF AT 65 KTS, BUT THE PLANE SETTLED AND WOULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE PLANE CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE PLANE TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. DURING THE GROUND LOOP, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ATTACHMENT U-BOLT FAILED AT AN OLD CRACK. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL CLAMP WAS LOOSE AND ALLOWED THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO REMAIN "OFF." THE CABLE HAD BEEN RE-RIGGED ABOUT 71 TACH HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE AIR INTAKE BOOT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED AND ALLOWED UNFILTERED AIR TO ENTER THE CARBURETOR. THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 81 AND 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, A SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING HAZARD WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:04 EDT
Nearest AirportTipton Aaf (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7ECA
Tail NumberN4214Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFt Meade Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55

Appendix: Source Data