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

February 15, 2015 · Scottish Aviation Bulldog - 120 121 · N706BD

Hayward, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hayward, CA
Aircraft
Scottish Aviation Bulldog - 120 121 (1975)
Tail Number
N706BD
Operator
David E Olsen
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR15LA104

The pilot reported that, during initial climb and as the airplane reached about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success. He subsequently conducted a forced landing, and the right wing impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical failures. After the airplane was placed on a level surface, about 0.75 gallon of water was drained from the fuel system between the airframe fuel filter to the engine fuel flow divider and the fuel flow divider pressure line. The pilot reported that the last time he had fueled the airplane was about 4 months before the accident. He added that he had not experienced fuel contamination previously with the airplane and that he had sumped the fuel system before takeoff. The pilot added that the airplane did sit with one wing lower than the other and that the airplane's nose up-and-level orientation during taxi may have shifted the water in the fuel system. The loss of engine power during the initial climb was likely due to fuel contamination.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system.

Full Narrative

On February 15, 2015, about 1245 Pacific standard time, a Scottish Aviation Bulldog MDL 120/121 experimental airplane, N706BD, sustained substantial damage as a result of a forced landing and impact with terrain due to a total loss of engine power near the Hayward Executive Airport (HWD), Hayward, California. The private pilot, who was the owner and sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the proposed local flight, which was being operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight, which was originating at the time of the accident, was destined for the Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County (PAO), Palo Alto, California. In a report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that after taking off and during a normal climb to about 200 to 300 feet above ground level, the engine quit producing power. The pilot stated that he pushed the throttle and mixture forward, checked the fuel boost pump, and thought the [fuel selector] was positioned to BOTH. The pilot recalled that during the emergency approach to land on a golf course, the right wing collided with a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the wing. The airplane then slid about 150 feet before coming to rest upright. During the investigation, a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector advised the pilot that significant amounts of water was found in the fuel system after the airplane had been placed level. The inspector then questioned the pilot relative to when the airplane was fueled last, whether the pilot had experienced fuel contamination previously with the accident airplane, and whether the pilot had drained or sumped the wing fuel tanks prior to the day of the flight. The pilot reported he had not fueled the airplane since October 2014, that he had not seen water in the fuel over the last 14 years, and that he had sumped on the day of the accident. The pilot stated that maybe the nose up and level orientation had shifted the water. The pilot added that the airplane did sit with one wing lower than the other, that he had extended the taxi, and that he had waited about 5 minutes before taking off. Examination of the recovered airframe and engine by an NTSB Aviation Accident Investigator, revealed that the Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 remained attached to the airframe via all mounts. Information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that he had disconnected various fuel lines from the fuel nozzles to the fuel flow divider, and did not secure them tightly. The top spark plugs were removed. The engine was rotated by hand using the propeller. Thumb compression on all 4 cylinders was obtained. In addition, spark was observed on all 8 ignition leads. Liquid was observed expelling from the fuel pressure hose fitting at the fuel flow divider. The liquid was captured in an empty, dry cup, and was a murky white color. The liquid was tested using water finding paste and was positive for water. The fuel line extending from the airframe fuel filter to the throttle body fuel control unit was removed at the fuel control unit. Residual liquid in the fuel line was captured and tested using water finding paste with positive results. The airframe fuel boost pump was turned on and liquid expelled from the fuel line. About 0.75 gallons of fuel was recovered from the fuel line before the boost pump was turned off. About one-quarter of the liquid removed appeared consistent with water; the remainder of the liquid was consistent with aviation fuel, and was blue in color. Examination of the airframe revealed that both the left and right fuel caps were intact and in place. The left wing was sitting in a left wing low position (left main landing gear was separated), and fuel was observed expelling from the left fuel cap, which was secured and appeared tight. The cap was removed and the seal appeared intact and was not cracked or hardened. Fuel samples were obtained via the left and right wings and were blue in color and free of debris.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 PST
Nearest AirportHayward Executive Airport (0nm W)
Runway28L
Runway Length5694 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftScottish Aviation Bulldog - 120 121
Tail NumberN706BD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid E Olsen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 50
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data