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

May 18, 2007 · Piper J3C · N28DR

Waterford, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Waterford, MI
Aircraft
Piper J3C
Tail Number
N28DR
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07CA149

The float plane's takeoff roll seemed longer than normal to the pilot. After he lifted off, he noticed a shimmy even though the aircraft was out of the water. He decided to abort the takeoff because he "still had plenty of water left to land on" ahead of him. The airplane touched down with the left float first. When the right float touched down, the airplane yawed hard to the right and water looped. Water conditions at the time of the accident were reported by the pilot as calm. An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, causing a water loop. A factor in the accident was the water loop encountered.

Full Narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a lake. The pilot stated, "The airplane seemed to have an abnormally long takeoff roll. It just did not seem right. I tried to adjust the pitch of the airplane to find the 'sweet spot' on the step. Slight nose up did not help and relaxing back pressure did not help either. I then decided to raise the right float out of the water to reduce drag. The airplane lifted off the water what appeared to be normal at first. But while I was accelerating and slowly climbing I felt a slight shimmying even though we were now off the water. I decided to abort the takeoff because I still had plenty of water left to land on ahead of me. ...We appeared to touch down on the left float first. Once the right float contacted the water the plane immediately yawed hard to the right and the airplane rolled fast to the left and spun." Water conditions at the time of the accident were reported by the pilot as calm. An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest AirportOakland-Pontiac (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C
Tail NumberN28DR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C90-12F · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 27 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data