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 5, 2007 · Piper PA-28-181 · N2834U

Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N2834U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX07CA151

The airplane collided with three automobiles during a forced landing on a city street following a loss of engine power after nearly 4 hours of flight. Unable to make the airport, the pilot attempted to land the airplane on a street. The right wing separated during the collision, and the fuel tank ruptured. An FAA inspector observed no fuel in the tank remnants or spillage in the vicinity. The left wing was intact, and contained about 10 gallons of fuel. A maintenance technician examined the engine under the supervision of the FAA. He plumbed a 5-gallon gas can into the airplane's fuel system. He energized the electric pump, and confirmed 5 psi on the fuel pressure gauge. He started the engine within three revolutions of the propeller, and allowed the engine to reach operating temperature. He ran the engine up to 1,800 rpm, and completed a magneto check. Both magnetos dropped about 70 rpm. He then reduced the power to idle, and the engine stabilized at 850 rpm. He checked acceleration from idle to maximum power, and the engine accelerated normally. He repeated this test three times, and the engine responded without hesitating or stalling. Upon shutdown, the idle rpm rise was normal.

NTSB Probable Cause

fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate fuel system management.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 2007, about 2030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N2834U, lost engine power and collided with obstacles during a forced landing near Las Vegas, Nevada. Trojan Aviation LLC, Farmington, New Mexico, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington (FMN), about 1700 mountain daylight time, with a planned destination of McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He stated that after an uneventful 3.9-hour flight he was on 2-mile final for runway 1L at LAS, when the engine lost power. He placed the mixture control full forward, turned the boost pump on, and verified that the magnetos were on. In a statement to the FAA accident coordinator, he indicated that he switched to the right fuel tank as part of the checklist, and the engine and propeller stopped. Just prior to landing, he turned the fuel selector to the OFF position, and turned off all electrical systems except the radios and master switch. He secured them after landing. The airplane touched down on Las Vegas Boulevard's northbound lane, which was empty. Just prior to touchdown, a vehicle turned into his path. The airplane hit that car plus two other vehicles. The FAA inspector noted that the right wing separated, and the fuel tank ruptured. He did not observe any fuel in the tank remnants or spillage in the vicinity. He said that the left wing was intact, and contained about 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot told the FAA that he switched tanks after every hour of flight. The last change was to the left tank at CROWE intersection, approximately 30 minutes prior to arrival. He later told an NTSB investigator that the right tank still contained fuel prior to switching to the left tank. The pilot met with the FAA a week later. He stated that throughout the descent the engine was at reduced power, and he did not use carburetor heat. In a telephone conversation with the Safety Board, he stated that 30 minutes prior to his arrival, at approximately 12,000 feet, he encountered light structural icing. He descended to 10,000 feet, and the ice dissipated; he noted the temperature during the encounter to be 0 degrees Celsius. Throughout his approach, he encountered intermittent cloud obscuration. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart disclosed that the temperature and dew point reported by the airport was outside of chart area predicting the possibility of carburetor ice. A maintenance technician examined the engine under the supervision of the FAA. He plumbed a 5-gallon gas can into the airplane's fuel system. He energized the electric pump, and confirmed 5 psi on the fuel pressure gauge. He started the engine within three revolutions of the propeller, and allowed the engine to reach operating temperature. He ran the engine up to 1,800 rpm, and completed a magneto check. Both magnetos dropped about 70 rpm. He then reduced the power to idle, and the engine stabilized at 850 rpm. He checked acceleration from idle to maximum power, and the engine accelerated normally. He repeated this test three times, and the engine responded without hesitating or stalling. Upon shutdown, the idle rpm rise was normal. In his opinion, there were no discrepancies or anomalies that accounted for the loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 PDT
Nearest AirportMc Carran Intl (2nm)
Runway1L
Runway Length8985 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN2834U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind350° @ 22 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 18 C
Altimeter29.62 inHg
Observation Time03:13
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data