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

September 16, 2002 · Mooney M20J · N201ZC

Canadaigua, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Canadaigua, NY
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N201ZC
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA188

The pilot fueled the airplane outside, in the rain. The airplane then remained parked outside, overnight, in the rain. The pilot stated that the following morning he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane. The pilot added that during the inspection, he shook the wings, drained both fuel tanks, and did not observe any water in the fuel. He started the engine, and waited for approximately 15 minutes. The pilot then taxied to runway 31, performed a run-up, and did not observe any discrepancies. He initiated a takeoff roll on a 3,200-foot long runway, with the fuel selector positioned to the left tank. After retracting the landing gear, the pilot noticed the first indication of a power loss. The engine began to surge and the airplane settled. The pilot subsequently performed a gear-up forced landing to a field at the end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed water in the left fuel tank and fuel manifold. The reported rainfall, at a nearby airport during a 4-hour period the previous night, was 1.5 inches.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.

Full Narrative

On September 16, 2002, about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N201ZC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a power loss after takeoff from Canadaigua Airport (D38), Canadaigua, New York. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the intended flight to Lake Villa, Illinois. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to his written statement, one day prior to the accident, the pilot diverted to D38 due to weather. The pilot utilized a self-service fuel tank to add 7 gallons of fuel to the left tank, and 14 gallons of fuel to the right tank. The fueling was accomplished outside, in the rain. The pilot further stated that his friend covered the respective fuel tank openings, while the pilot fueled the airplane. After checking the weather, the pilot decided to secure the airplane overnight, and return the following morning. The airplane remained parked outside, in the rain. On the day of the accident, during the preflight inspection, the pilot shook both wings. He then sumped both fuel tanks, and did not observe any water. The pilot then utilized the cockpit drain, to drain fuel from both tanks. He started the engine, and waited for approximately 15 minutes. The pilot then taxied to runway 31, performed a run-up, and did not observe any discrepancies. He initiated a takeoff roll on the 3,200-foot long runway, with the fuel selector positioned to the left tank. After retracting the landing gear, the pilot noticed the first indication of a power loss. The engine began to surge and the airplane settled. The pilot positioned the fuel selector to the right tank, checked the mixture control, and verified the fuel pump was on. The engine continued to surge, and the pilot positioned the fuel selector back to the left tank. He then performed a gear-up forced landing to a field at the end of the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane struck rocks, and came to rest upright. The wreckage was examined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. He rotated the propeller by hand, and was able to confirm crankshaft and camshaft continuity, attain thumb compression, and observe spark at all leads. The inspector's examination revealed that the right fuel tank was intact, and the left fuel tank had ruptured. The fuel in the right tank was light blue in color, clear, and absent of debris. However, the inspector recovered approximately 2 ounces of fuel from the left tank, and 1 ounce of water. Additionally, the inspector observed water in the fuel manifold. The FAA inspector subsequently examined fuel from the airport fuel farm, and from another aircraft that had recently been fueled. He did not observe any contamination in the fuel farm or other aircraft. FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 85-24-03 was written to preclude fuel contamination and water entrapment in fuel tanks, and pertained to the make and model accident airplane. The FAA inspector reviewed the aircraft logbooks, and noted that the respective AD was complied with. The reported weather at an airport approximately 18 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, included rain from the evening hours on September 15, into the morning hours of September 16. Additionally, the reported rainfall at an airport approximately 20 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, from 1600-2200 on September 15, was 1.5 inches.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 EDT
Nearest AirportCanadaigue (0nm NW)
Runway31
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN201ZC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time13:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data