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

August 13, 2013 · Piper PA-18-150 · N44RT

Paxson, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Paxson, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N44RT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC13LA079

The private pilot reported that she was on a cross-country flight in a float-equipped airplane, and that, about 20 minutes into the flight, the engine rpm suddenly dropped to idle. She moved the throttle forward, and the engine momentarily responded, but it again dropped to idle power. She switched fuel tanks, but the engine still did not respond, so she initiated a forced landing to brush-covered tundra. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over, which caused substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Examination of the engine revealed that the clamp that secures the throttle cable was loose, which allowed the throttle cable housing to move inside the clamp. The engine was started without tightening the throttle cable clamp, and it operated normally through various power settings. Given the loose throttle cable clamp and the pilot's account of the accident sequence, it is likely that the throttle cable housing was free to move when the throttle lever moved, which limited the amount of throttle authority available to the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-(general)-Contributed to outcome

Full Narrative

On August 13, 2013, about 1240 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N44RT, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Paxson, Alaska. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Tangle Lakes, Alaska about 1220, destined to Anchorage, Alaska. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot said that approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the engine suddenly went to idle RPM. She moved the throttle forward and received a momentary response, but the engine again went to idle power. She switched fuel tanks, and the engine still did not respond, so she initiated a forced landing in an area of brush covered tundra. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The closest official weather observation station is located at the Gulkana Airport, Gulkana, Alaska, about 52 miles south of the accident site. At 1253, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting, in part: Wind, 160 degrees (true) at 6 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 72 degrees F; dew point, 48 degrees F; altimeter, 29.95 inHg. On August 20, the NTSB investigator-in-charge, along with an inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane at the facilities of Alaska Claims Services, Inc., Wasilla, Alaska. The examination revealed no preaccident anomalies with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the Lycoming O-320-B2B engine revealed that the throttle cable clamp was loose around the throttle cable, allowing the cable housing to move as well as the cable to move inside the housing. The airplane was secured and the engine was started and run for approximately 10 minutes through various power settings without anomaly. The airplane underwent an annual inspection on June 27, 2013, and had flown approximately 10 hours since being returned to service. The throttle cable clamp that was used to secure the throttle cable in the airplane is known in the community to loosen and allow the cable to slip. While there is no requirement to do so, many Piper PA-18 operators and mechanics use safety wire on both sides of the clamp to ensure security of the cable. The clamp on the accident airplane was not secured with safety wire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN44RT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 68 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data