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

December 21, 2005 · Beech 23 · N7631R

Chaplin, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Chaplin, CT
Aircraft
Beech 23
Tail Number
N7631R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC06LA045

The pilot stated that while on approach to Windham Airport, the engine began to run roughly, then completely lost power. He switched fuel tanks, and attempted an engine restart, but was unsuccessful. The pilot then maneuvered the airplane toward a snow-covered field, but could not clear trees during the final approach. After the accident, evidence of fuel was found at the scene. Fuel was plumbed to the engine through the left fuel tank, and the engine was started, and ran continuously on the airframe without interruption. The temperature was 19 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Interpolation of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed that atmospheric conditions were conducive to "icing at glide or cruise power." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and stated, " I have reason to believe that carburetor ice was the problem, although I was using carburetor heat at the time."

NTSB Probable Cause

A complete loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the emergency landing.

Full Narrative

On December 21, 2005, at 0953 eastern standard time, a Beech 23, N7631R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in Chaplin, Connecticut. The certificated airline transport pilot/owner sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Quonset State Airport (OQU), Kingston, Rhode Island, and was destined for Windham Airport (IJD), Willimantic, Connecticut. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot/owner provided a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector. The pilot stated that while on approach to Windham Airport, the engine began to run roughly, then completely lost power. He switched fuel tanks, and attempted an engine restart, but was unsuccessful. The pilot then maneuvered the airplane toward a snow-covered field, but could not clear trees during the final approach. The manager of the fixed base operator (FBO) at Windham Airport responded to the scene, and an examination of the airplane revealed that both wings were impact damaged, and that the fuel cells were compromised. There was an odor of fuel, but no evidence of fuel in the tanks, and little evidence of fuel spillage at the scene. The FBO manager noticed that the fuel pump was running, so he turned off the pump and moved the fuel selector to the "Off" position. He then turned the airplane beacon and battery off. The airplane was later moved to Windham Airport for further examination. On December 22, 2005, the propeller was straightened, and a can of fuel was plumbed through the left fuel tank of the airplane. The engine was then started, and ran continuously on the airframe without interruption. Examination of aircraft and fuel records revealed that the pilot had serviced the airplane with 44 gallons of fuel on November 23, 2005, and that the airplane had flown approximately 1 hour since that service. The FAA inspector reexamined the scene with a fire inspector, and discovered considerable evidence of fuel in the soil beneath the snow. The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate, as well as a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued January 13, 2003. He reported 26,950 total hours of flight experience, 580 hours of which were in make and model. At 0952, the weather reported at Windham Airport included clear skies and no wind. The temperature was 19 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Interpolation of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed that atmospheric conditions were conducive to "icing at glide or cruise power." In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and stated, " I have reason to believe that carburetor ice was the problem, although I was using carburetor heat at the time."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:53 EST
Nearest AirportWINDHAM (3nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4278 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 23
Tail NumberN7631R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time14:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data