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

March 18, 2004 · Cessna 140 · N2435V

Portland, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 18, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Portland, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N2435V
Operator
William F Mauch
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA096

The commercial pilot took off and while still in the traffic pattern, radioed a mechanic on the ground stating that he was "losing power." The pilot attempted to return to the runway; however, he landed short of the runway. According to a witness, the left side of the airplane and engine cowling impacted the ground, bounced, and then the right wing tip hit the ground before the plane settled on its fuselage and left wing tip. Examination of the gas and oil revealed that they were clean and clear of debris. The gascolator was clean and full. The aircraft was topped off with fuel prior to departure, and no anomalies were noted with the fuel system. All engine accessories were in place, and the engine rotated. Engine continuity and compression were established. The carburetor (part number 10-4894) was removed for inspection. The proper carburetor part number for the accident aircraft engine (C-90-12F) is 10-5082. The carburetor that was installed on the accident airplane's engine was certified for an O-200-A engine. Precision Airmotive Corporation (type certificate holder of the carburetor) stated that the carburetors could not be converted from one engine to another, and that certification testing had not been done for the carburetor (part number 10-4894) to be installed on C-90-12F series engines. The carburetor that was installed on the accident airplane is not interchangeable between O-200-A and C-90-12F series engines.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertant stall while executing a forced landing. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On March 18, 2004, approximately 1455, a Cessna 140 single-engine airplane, N2435V, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Hunt Airport (9R5), near Portland, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations personal flight. According to the UNICOM operator at the airport, the pilot departed 9R5, and while still in the traffic pattern, radioed that he was "losing power." A witness, who was driving eastbound on a road located approximately one mile west of the airport, reported that the weather was clear, but windy, with southeast winds of about 15-20 mph and higher gusts. The witness observed the aircraft flying south of the road, in a northerly direction. He stated that the aircraft was very low, about "less than fifty feet" from the ground. As the aircraft approached the road, it "suddenly" pulled up, and made a steep left turn, "virtually standing on its left wing." While recovering from the steep left turn, the aircraft "dipped" forward onto its nose, and flew directly down into the ground approximately 50-feet south of the roadway. The left side of the airplane and engine cowling impacted the ground, bounced, and then the right wing tip hit the ground before the plane settled on its fuselage and left wing tip. Examination of the wreckage by a FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the nose, and both wings. Samples of the fuel and engine oil appeared to be clean and clear of debris, and respective filters were found to be clean. The gascolator was clean and full. Records from the fixed base operator at the airport showed that the airplane was "topped off" with fuel prior to departure, and no anomalies were noted with the fuel system. All engine accessories were in place, and the engine (Continental C-90-12F series) rotated when pulled thru by hand. Engine drive continuity and compression were established. The carburetor, part number 10-4894, was removed for inspection. According to Precision Airmotive Corporation (type certificate holder of the subject carburetor), the carburetor was an approved part for the Continental O-200-A series engine, and were not aware of certification testing of the carburetor to be utilized on the Continental C-90-12F engine. According to the engine manufacturer, the proper carburetor part number for the accident aircraft engine (C-90-12F) is 10-5082. The type certificate holder for the carburetor further stated that the carburetor that was installed on the accident airplane is not interchangeable between O-200-A and C-90-12F series engines. Despite attempts from the Investigator-In-Charge to obtain a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), a completed form was not obtained.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN2435V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam F Mauch
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90-12F · Reciprocating · 95
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data