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

November 3, 2006 · Piper PA-46-310P · N460TM

Chester, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chester, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-46-310P
Tail Number
N460TM
Operator
Robert W Rollins
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07LA018

The pilot reported that after reaching a cruising altitude of 9,000 feet the engine "missed" and the oil pressure, oil temperature, and manifold pressure began to drop. The pilot attempted to fly to the nearest airport maintaining a 500 to 800 foot per minute descent. Unable to make it to the airport, he chose a field in which to land. He stated he cleared the trees, which surrounded the field, and applied flaps to slow the airplane. The field was muddy so the pilot used the emergency gear extension to lower the landing gear so the airplane would not slide into the trees. The airplane touched down and slid approximately 25 feet prior to coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. An engine teardown revealed holes in the crankcase near the number four cylinder and that the engine had sustained both thermal and mechanical damage as a result of oil starvation. A hole was noted in the turbine wheel shroud on the hot section of the right turbocharger. There was no data plate, serial number, or model number present on the turbocharger. The turbocharger contained the part number 466304-0003. The oil inlet and outlet fittings were intact and showed no signs of oil leakage. This turbocharger was torn down and inspected. The inspection revealed the turbine wheel shroud had fragmented as a result of a fatigue failure. The back surface of the shaft and wheel assembly contained contact signatures from the shroud. A review of maintenance records showed that both the left and right turbochargers were installed on June 21, 1988. The data plate on the left turbocharger matched the information in the maintenance records. Without a serial number on the right turbocharger, it could not be verified that this was the same one that was installed on June 21, 1998. However, the maintenance logs provided did not contain a record of the turbocharger having been replaced after that date.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of the turbocharger shroud which resulted in oil starvation to the engine. A factor was the muddy field.

Full Narrative

On November 3, 2006, at 0720 central standard time, a Piper PA-46-310P, N460TM, collided with the terrain during an off airport forced landing in Chester, Illinois, following a loss of engine power. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at 0645, with an intended destination of the DuPage Airport, West Chicago, Illinois. The pilot reported that after reaching a cruising altitude of 9,000 feet the engine "missed" and the oil pressure, oil temperature, and manifold pressure began to drop. He stated he turned on the low pressure fuel boost pump to try and increase the manifold pressure. The pilot stated he contacted air traffic control and requested a turn to the nearest airport. He turned toward the airport and maintained a 500 to 800 foot per minute descent. Once he realized he was not going to make it to the airport he chose a field in which to land. He stated he cleared the trees, which surrounded the field, and applied flaps to slow the airplane. The field was muddy so the pilot used the emergency gear extension to lower the landing gear so the airplane would not slide into the trees. The airplane touched down and slid approximately 25 feet prior to coming to rest. The left wing was pulled loose from the fuselage, the left and right flaps sustained impact damage, and the landing gear was destroyed. The engine was torn down and inspected. This inspection revealed that both halves of the crankcase contained holes in line with the number four cylinder. The crankshaft and counterweight assembly showed signs of thermal and mechanical damage at the number four and five connecting rod journals. The number four and five connecting rod journals also showed signs of thermal and mechanical damage. The oil transfer passages were not blocked and the oil transfer collar was intact. The number four connecting rod exhibited thermal and mechanical damage and was fractured through the base of the I-beam. Only fragments of the number four connecting rod cap, rod bolts, nuts, and bearing were found. The number five connecting rod assembly also sustained thermal damage. A hole was noted in the turbine wheel shroud on the hot section of the right turbocharger. There was no data plate, serial number, or model number present on the turbocharger. The turbocharger did contain the part number 466304-0003. The oil inlet and outlet fittings were intact and showed no signs of oil leakage. This turbocharger was sent to Kelly Aerospace for teardown and inspection. The inspection revealed the turbine wheel shroud had fragmented as a result of a fatigue failure. The back surface of the shaft and wheel assembly contained contact signatures from the shroud. The airplane had been operated in Australia under the registration of VH-BTZ. Maintenance records showed that both the left and right turbochargers were installed on June 21, 1988, at an aircraft total time of 1,527.9 hours and that the mandatory life limit on the turbochargers was 2,000 hours. The total airframe time at the time of the accident was about 2,830 hours. The data plate on the left turbocharger matched the information in the maintenance records. Without a serial number on the right turbocharger, it could not be verified that this was the same one that was installed on June 21, 1998. However, the maintenance logs provided did not contain a record of the turbocharger having been replaced after that date.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-46-310P
Tail NumberN460TM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert W Rollins
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-BE · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.51 inHg
Observation Time13:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data