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

March 17, 2012 · Piper J3C-65 · N3225N

Douglas, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Douglas, GA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N3225N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA235

While en route to his destination airport, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane observed adverse weather developing and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the landing approach was normal, but after landing, a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway, where the left wing contacted a runway distance remaining sign, substantially damaging the wing spar. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather data for the accident airport revealed that the wind speed did not exceed 6 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the tailwheel-equipped airplane.

Full Narrative

While enroute to his destination airport, the pilot of the tail-wheel equipped airplane, observed weather developing to the West and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the approach for landing was normal, but after landing a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway and contact a runway distance remaining sign with the left wing. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the wing spar was substantially damaged. No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures of the airplane or engine were discovered. A review of automated weather observing system data for the diversion airport revealed that the peak wind speed never exceeded 6 knots and no wind gusts were recorded before, during, or after, the time of the accident. A review of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) revealed that the pilot had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportDouglas Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway04
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN3225N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · A65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data