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

April 20, 2012 · Raytheon Aircraft A36 · N821SM

Yorktown, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2012
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Yorktown, NY
Aircraft
Raytheon Aircraft A36
Tail Number
N821SM
Operator
Ehrenzeller Mark
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12LA295

The airplane was in cruise flight at 7,000 feet when the engine lost power. The pilot requested vectors to the nearest airport but determined the airplane would not reach the requested landing site. He selected a forced landing site on a corporate complex and completed the forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. During the descent, he stated that he performed remedial actions in accordance with the checklist and switched the fuel selector from the right tank position to the left tank. Later, the pilot stated that he did not consult a checklist, but performed emergency action items "from memory." He added that the engine would surge during the descent but would not produce sufficient power to maintain altitude. A witness stated that he saw the airplane at low altitude near the campus and described the engine sound as surging between idle and "extremely high rpm." He said that the engine sounded as though it was "starving for fuel." Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The fuel selector was found in a position between the left tank and right tank detents. A detailed examination revealed continuity of the fuel system, unobstructed fuel lines and filters, and an operational fuel selector. The engine was removed from the airplane and placed in a test cell, where it started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. The engine run revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation and the production of rated power. A warning in the airplane manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook stated: "POSITION [Fuel] SELECTOR IN DETENTS ONLY – NO FUEL FLOW TO ENGINE BETWEEN DETENTS" It is likely that the pilot moved the fuel selector during cruise flight but did not ensure that it was seated correctly in the detent. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power. Because the pilot did not perform the requisite emergency procedures, he did not recognize that the fuel selector was not seated properly.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper placement of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the published emergency procedure by the checklist.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2012, at 1626 eastern daylight time, a Hawker-Beechcraft Corporation A36, N821SM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight in Yorktown, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight departed Teterboro Airport (TEB), Teterboro, New Jersey about 1600, and was destined for Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the airplane was in cruise flight at 7,000 feet when the engine lost power. He requested vectors to the nearest airport, but determined the airplane would not reach the requested landing site. He selected a forced landing site on the IBM corporate campus in Yorktown, and completed the forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. During the descent, he stated that he performed remedial actions in accordance with the checklist, and switched the fuel selector from the right tank position to the left tank. He added that the engine would surge during the descent but would not produce sufficient power to maintain altitude. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that he did not consult a checklist during the descent, but performed the emergency action items "by memory." In a telephone interview, a witness stated that he saw the airplane at low altitude near the IBM corporate campus and it appeared to be "in distress." He described the engine sound as surging between idle and "extremely high rpm." He said that the engine sounded as though it was "starving for fuel." According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1996. The most recent annual inspection was completed July 1, 2011, at 1,460.4 total aircraft hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued 1,503 total aircraft hours. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. He reported 383.5 total hours of flight experience, of which 165.5 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued November 9, 2011. Examination of the airplane at the scene by FAA inspectors revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The fuel selector was found in a position between the left tank and right tank detents . A detailed examination by the inspectors at a recovery facility revealed continuity of the fuel system, unobstructed fuel lines and filters, and an operational fuel selector. The engine was removed from the airplane, and placed in a test cell on May 2, 2012. Prior to the test run, a borescope examination of the engine's cylinders revealed "normal" deposits and wear, and no anomalies. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. The engine run revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation and the production of rated power. A warning in the airplane manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook stated: "POSITION [Fuel] SELECTOR IN DETENTS ONLY – NO FUEL FLOW TO ENGINE BETWEEN DETENTS"

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:26 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRaytheon Aircraft A36
Tail NumberN821SM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEhrenzeller Mark
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-550 SERIES · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data