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

October 22, 2002 · Beech A23 · N1451L

Farmington, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Farmington, AR
Aircraft
Beech A23
Tail Number
N1451L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA023

The 200-hour pilot reported that he was conducting taxi tests on the runway (a 2,200 foot-long grass runway), "trying to warm the engine up." On the third test, the airplane "went too far down the runway and [the pilot] was forced to takeoff." At an approximate altitude of 25 feet agl, the engine lost power and the airplane landed hard. Examination of the airplane by the pilot, who was also a certified mechanic, revealed the "mechanical fuel pump seal failed." An FAA inspector reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that the pilot of the accident aircraft started a brief conversation with him, stating that he recently had a fuel pump problem on his airplane and how to possibly recover losses from a recent aircraft accident. During this discussion, the pilot informed the inspector that during a recent annual inspection, the fuel pump on his airplane was "bad." After replacing the old fuel pump, the new fuel pump "only developed 10 psi." The pilot decided to conduct a test flight on the airplane. The pilot mentioned that he replaced the fuel filters and fuel lines in attempt to get a better fuel pressure reading with no success. During one of the test flights, "he [the pilot] crashed the airplane."

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to the failure of the mechanical fuel pump.

Full Narrative

On October 22, 2002, approximately 1800 central daylight time, a Beech A23 single-engine airplane, N1451L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip near Farmington, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 maintenance test flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 200-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was conducting taxi tests on the runway (a 2,200 foot-long grass runway), "trying to warm the engine up." On the third test, the airplane "went too far down the runway and [the pilot] was forced to takeoff." At an approximate altitude of 25 feet agl, "the engine lost power." Subsequently, the airplane landed hard in a field coming to rest up-right. The pilot, who is a certificated airframe and power plant mechanic, stated in the "Mechanical Malfunction Failure" section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the "mechanical fuel pump seal failed." Examination of the airplane, by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector (FAA), who responded to the accident site, revealed that the main landing gear had been displaced into the fuselage, resulting in structural damage to the airframe. An FAA inspector reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that while he was refueling his personal airplane, the pilot of the accident aircraft recognized him as an Aviation Safety Inspector. The pilot started a brief conversation with the inspector, stating that he recently had a fuel pump problem on his airplane and how to possibly recover losses from a recent aircraft accident. During this discussion, the pilot informed the inspector that during a recent annual inspection, the fuel pump on his airplane was "bad." After replacing the old fuel pump, the new fuel pump "only developed 10 psi." The pilot decided to conduct a test flight on the airplane. The pilot mentioned that he replaced the fuel filters and fuel lines in attempt to get a better fuel pressure reading with no success. During one of the test flights, "he [the pilot] crashed the airplane."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway Length2200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A23
Tail NumberN1451L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-346-A · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data