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

August 17, 2004 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N4631J

Eliot, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Eliot, ME
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N4631J
Operator
Stafford Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD04CA038

While turning to align with the runway during a simulated forced landing, the airplane overshot the runway, and the turn was continued to the right to come back to the landing surface. The flight instructor and the pilot each reported that about 6 feet above the runway, the airplane "stalled", "plummeted", and experienced a hard landing. The airplane shook during the landing roll, then veered right and departed the landing surface. The landing gear collapsed, the airplane came to rest, and the instructor and pilot egressed the airplane. When asked if they experienced any problems with the performance or handling of the airplane, each said no.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed above stall which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the landing gear. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

Full Narrative

On August 17, 2004, at 1350 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N4631J, was substantially damaged during a hard landing and gear collapse at the Littlebrook Airport (3B4), Elliot, Maine. The certificated private pilot and certificated flight instructor were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight that originated at the Sanford Airport (SFM), about 1330. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and the flight instructor provided telephone interviews. They said the purpose of the flight was to evaluate the private pilot for participation in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wings program. According to both individuals, the flight began at Sanford Airport (SFM), and the pilot was given a simulated engine failure in the traffic pattern. The subsequent landing attempt was aborted, and the flight was continued to Littlebrook Airport (3B4). Upon arrival at Littlebrook, a landing was performed to runway 12, and the airplane was back-taxied for takeoff and flight in the traffic pattern. The airplane took off, and while turning to the downwind leg, approximately 700 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot was given another simulated engine failure. During the descent, the airplane was configured for landing. The pilot turned the airplane to land on Runway 30. While turning to align with the runway, the airplane overshot the runway, and the turn was continued to the right to come back to the landing surface. About 6 feet above the runway, the airplane "stalled", "plummeted", and experienced a hard landing. The airplane shook during the landing roll, then veered right and departed the landing surface. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest. The instructor and the pilot then egressed the airplane. When asked if they experienced any problems with the performance or handling of the airplane, each said no. The weather reported at the Sanford Airport, at 1355, was scattered clouds at 4,000 feet with 10 miles visibility. The wind was from 200 degrees at 4 knots. The temperature was 73 degrees Fahrenheit, the dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and the barometric pressure was 30.08 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 EDT
Nearest AirportLittlebrook Airpark (0nm SE)
Runway26
Runway Length2701 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN4631J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStafford Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 61 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data