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

April 25, 2003 · Piper PA-28-151 · N43266

Rogersville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rogersville, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N43266
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA085

According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from runway 25, the airplane climbed to 300 feet, and the engine lost power. The pilot continued on the runway heading and the airplane made a forced landing in a small field. During the emergency landing rollout, the airplane rolled approximately 50 feet and collided with a stand of trees. Examination of the downed airplane revealed that the leading edge of the left wing had crush damage with tree bark on the wing. During the examination of the downed airplane the carburetor was disassembled. The seams of the carburetor floats had separated and fuel was observed in the open cavity.

NTSB Probable Cause

The rupture of the carburetor float, which resulted in the loss of engine power and subsequent on ground collision with trees.

Full Narrative

On April 25, 2003, at 1800 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N43266, registered to a private individual, and operated by Advanced Flight Training, collided with trees one mile from the departure end of runway 25 at Hawkins County Airport Rogersville, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Rogersville, Tennessee, at 1758 on April 25, 2003. The intended destination of the flight was Tri-Cities Regional Airport Bristol, Tennessee. According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from runway 25, the airplane climbed to 300 feet, and the engine lost power. Efforts by the pilot to restore engine power were unsuccessful. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing. The pilot continued on the runway heading and the airplane landed in a small field. During the emergency landing rollout, the airplane rolled approximately 50 feet and collided with a stand of trees. Examination of the downed airplane revealed that the wreckage came to rest one mile from the departure end of runway 25. The wreckage distribution of the downed airplane covered an area of 80 feet long and 80 feet wide along a magnetic path of 280 degrees. The right wing was separated and bent upward at the attachment point to the fuselage. The leading edge of the left wing had crush damage with tree bark on the wing. The engine cowling was displaced forward. The right side of the fuselage was buckled. Examination of the engine found the valve train operable. The bottom spark plugs showed signs of excess fuel. The top spark plugs were of brownish tint and no lead fouling was noted. The carburetor was disassembled and both floats were full of volatile substance. The substance was very light blue in color. Further investigation determined that the aircraft held an STC for automotive gasoline. The light blue mixture was part aviation fuel and part automotive gasoline. The seams of the metal carburetor floats had separated and fuel was observed in the open cavity. The floats were observed at the bottom of the fuel bowl. Reviews of the engine logbooks show that the engine had two previous engine fires where the carburetor was overhauled and reinstalled. Records show Mikes Aircraft Fuel Metering Service Inc overhauled carburetor. The last reinstallation of the carburetor was on April 25, 2003 at tachometer time 6999.71 hours; the accident occurred at 7000.1 hours. The pilot stated that she performed a preflight and run-up which showed no indication of a problem with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 EDT
Nearest AirportRogersville Hawkins County (1nm W)
Runway250
Runway Length3502 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN43266
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E30 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter29.61 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data