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 31, 2009 · Pensinger Zodiac 601 · N250JP

Greeneville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Greeneville, TN
Aircraft
Pensinger Zodiac 601
Tail Number
N250JP
Operator
Pensinger James M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09CA313

The pilot stated that the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight indicating that the surface winds were from 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn while flying 100 to 200 feet above ground level just past the hill located to the east. The pilot stated that the airspeed immediately decreased, the airplane became "mushy," and then made contact with a tree. The pilot stated that he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. The airplane continued to lose altitude, and he made an off-field landing in an open field. The airplane hit an electrical line as he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Effect on operation - C

Full Narrative

The pilot stated the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight. The surface winds at the departure airport were 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn between 100 to 200 feet AGL just past the hill located to the east. The airspeed on the airplane immediately decreased. The airplane became mushy, and the airplane contacted a tree. The pilot stated he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. He observed an open field with a farmer bailing hay. The airplane continued to loose altitude, and he made an off field landing. The airplane hit an electrical line and he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPensinger Zodiac 601
Tail NumberN250JP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPensinger James M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJabiru · 3300A · Reciprocating · 120
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 11 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility4500 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data