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

July 5, 2009 · Thomas C Piper Murphy Rebel · N5PQ

Idaho Falls, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Idaho Falls, ID
Aircraft
Thomas C Piper Murphy Rebel
Tail Number
N5PQ
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09LA336

All systems operated normally during a pre-takeoff checkout of the airplane. During the initial climb, the engine performed normally. According to the pilot, upon climbing to about 400 feet above the runway, the engine lost all power. He turned the airplane toward an adjacent runway, but did not have sufficient altitude and airspeed to complete the maneuver and the airplane impacted the ground hard. An examination of the airplane's controls and engine revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions. A small amount of fuel was found in the engine's flow divider, and no fuel was found in the fuel injector lines. The engine ran during a postaccident test run. No mechanical reason was found for the interruption of fuel flow to the engine. According to the pilot, the fuel tanks contained about 31 gallons of fuel when he took off.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. The underlying reason for the fuel starvation condition could not be determined.

Full Narrative

On July 5, 2009, about 0905 mountain daylight time, a T. Piper Murphy Rebel, N5PQ, experimental airplane, experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 35 at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The home-built airplane touched down hard during the ensuing forced landing on the airport, and it was substantially damaged. The private pilot received a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he built and maintained the airplane. All systems operated normally during his pretakeoff checkout of the airplane. The fuel tanks contained about 31 gallons of fuel. During the initial climb, the engine performed normally. According to the pilot, upon climbing about 400 feet over the runway, the engine "abruptly quit." The pilot stated that he made a forced landing on runway 20. However, while turning toward that runway airspeed was lost, and the airplane touched down very hard. It slid off the runway and came to rest on the adjacent grass, about 100 feet off the runway. During the impact sequence, the fuselage and wings broke. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector subsequently examined the airplane. According to the FAA inspector, all controls had retained their continuity, the fuel was clean with no contamination, oil was in the sump, and the engine's crankshaft rotated. There was very little fuel in the engine's flow divider, and no fuel in the injector lines. The FAA inspector noted that the airplane was equipped with an electric fuel valve control switch that turned the fuel on and off. The switch's position could be easily moved. Following the FAA's examination, the pilot had the engine examined. During that examination the engine was operated, and it appeared to function normally. The pilot reported that he believes the engine had lost power due to an interruption of fuel flow. It appears to have been "cut off."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:05 MDT
Nearest AirportIdaho Falls Regional (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length4051 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThomas C Piper Murphy Rebel
Tail NumberN5PQ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TMX IO-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data