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 26, 2003 · Piper PA-28-151 · N43376

Beaumont, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Beaumont, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N43376
Operator
King Flight Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA232

During takeoff initial climb, the pilot reported the "engine was running rough" and the pilot elected to execute a precautionary landing to a field near the airport. The 515-hour pilot stated that during landing, he "banked [the airplane] sharply to the left to avoid power lines." Subsequently, the left wing left wing impacted the ground and airplane came to rest upright, approximately one mile south of runway 34. Examination of the engine revealed the bottom sparkplugs contained fuel and both magnetos produced spark on all posts. Continuity was established throughout the engine, and thumb compression was noted on all four cylinders. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On September 25, 2003, approximately 1900 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151 single-engine airplane, N43376, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the Southeast Texas Regional Airport (BPT), near Beaumont, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to King Interests, Inc., of League City, Texas, and operated by King Flight Service, of Pearland, Texas. Twilight visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight. The flight originated from BPT approximately 5 minutes before the time of the accident and was destined for the Pearland Regional Airport, near Pearland, Texas. The 515-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the initial climb from BPT, at an approximate altitude of 2,000 feet msl, the "engine was running rough." He executed a precautionary landing to a field near the airport. The pilot stated that prior to landing, he "banked [the airplane] sharply to the left to avoid power lines." Subsequently, the left wing impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest upright, approximately one mile south of runway 34. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing was partially separated from the fuselage and the left wing spar was broken. The left wing fuel tank was compromised and the right wing fuel tank was intact with visual signs of fuel. Both the left and right fuel caps were secure. Examination of the Lycoming O-320-D3G engine revealed the bottom spark plugs contained fuel. Both magnetos produced spark on all posts. Continuity was established throughout the engine, and thumb compression was noted on all four cylinders. The FAA inspector reported that the most recent maintenance performed on the aircraft prior to the accident flight was for the installation of a new carburetor. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSoutheast Texas Regional Airpo (1nm SSE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN43376
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKing Flight Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data