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

October 8, 2013 · Cessna 170 · N4216V

Ridgely, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ridgely, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 170 (1948)
Tail Number
N4216V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA14LA050

The airplane had not been flown for about 8 months. Before departing to practice landings at the airport, the pilot/owner added aviation gasoline to the airplane's fuel tanks, which also contained automotive gasoline that had been added about 6 to 8 months previously. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane experienced a sudden, total loss of engine power. The pilot was not able to restart the engine or land on the runway, so he performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a ditch and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane had been operated for about 6 hours since its most recent documented annual inspection, which was performed about 3 years before the accident. The pilot reported that he found water in the airplane's fuel system the day before the accident but that fuel samples taken before the flight were not contaminated. Examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any catastrophic engine malfunction; however, at the time of the examination, the engine and wings had been removed from the fuselage, which precluded an examination of the airplane's fuel system.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Full Narrative

On October 8, 2013, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N4216V, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a total loss of engine power while on approach to Ridgely Airpark (RJD), Ridgely, Maryland. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane had not been flown for about 8 months prior to the accident. On the morning of the accident flight, the pilot/owner added 100-low-lead aviation gasoline to the airplane's fuel tanks, which also contained automotive gasoline that was added 6 to 8 months prior, and brought the total fuel on board to 18 gallons. During his preflight inspection, the pilot noted water in the fuel while sumping the fuel tanks. The pilot subsequently departed RJD without incident and intended to practice landings at the airport. While flying on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 30, a 3,214-foot-long, asphalt runway, the airplane experienced a sudden, total loss of engine power. The pilot was not able to restart the engine or land on the runway, and performed a forced landing to a soybean field. During the landing, the airplane struck a ditch and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. In a follow-up statement, the pilot reported that he found water in the airplane's fuel system on the day prior to the accident, and that fuel samples taken prior to the flight were absent of contamination. The four-seat, high-wing, conventional gear airplane was manufactured 1948, and was equipped with a Continental Motors C145-2, 145-horsepower engine. The accident occurred during the United States Federal Government shutdown, which took place from October 1-16, 2013. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector was performed on November 26, 2013. At that time, the engine and wings had been removed from the fuselage and the inspector was not able to inspect the airplane's fuel system. Examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any catastrophic engine malfunctions. The inspector also noted that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was performed during January 2011. The airplane had been operated for about 6 hours since the annual inspection. At the time of the accident, the engine had been operated for 3,223 hours since new, and 434 hours since it was overhauled. The pilot reported 3,660 hours of total flight experience, which included about 1,220 hours in single-engine airplanes; of which 44 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. A weather observation taken at 1053, at an airport that was located about 15 miles northeast of the accident site included winds from 30 degrees at knots, a temperature of 17 degrees Celsius (C), and a dew point of 9 degrees C. Review of an FAA carburetor icing envelope placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "serious icing (glide power)" area of the chart.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest AirportRidgely Airpark (0nm SSW)
Runway30
Runway Length3214 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170
Tail NumberN4216V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C145 SERIES · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data