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 6, 2015 · Mooney M20J · N4826H

Allentown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Allentown, PA
Aircraft
Mooney M20J (1979)
Tail Number
N4826H
Operator
Pro International
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA15LA177

The pilot stated that he departed with about 25 gallons of fuel in the left wing fuel tank and about 7 or 8 gallons in the right wing fuel tank and with the fuel selector positioned to the left wing fuel tank. After departure, he flew the airplane to a local airport to practice takeoffs and landings. During the fourth takeoff, about 30 minutes into the flight, and when the airplane was about 400 to 500 ft above the runway, the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The pilot made a forced landing straight ahead, and the airplane struck a fence. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wings were damaged, but no fuel was observed leaking from the airplane. About 4 to 5 gallons of fuel was found in the right tank, and about 8 to 12 gallons of fuel was found in the left tank; the fuel found in the tanks was higher than the unusable fuel limit for each tank. The fuel line from the engine-driven fuel pump to the fuel servo was disassembled, and there was no fuel in the line. The fuel line from the boost pump to the engine-driven fuel pump was disconnected, and, when the boost pump was turned, fuel came out in a pulsating spray, which indicates that air was in the line. Based on the evidence, it is likely that there was an interruption of fuel flow to the engine, which resulted in the loss of power; however, the reason for the interruption of the fuel flow could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to an interruption of fuel flow to the engine. The reason for the interruption of the fuel flow could not be determined during postaccident examination and testing.

Full Narrative

On April 6, 2015, at 1256 eastern daylight time, N4826H, a Mooney M20J airplane, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (XLL), Allentown, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown, Pennsylvania, about 1230. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, which included visually checking the total amount of fuel in each fuel tank. He stated there was about 25 gallons of fuel in the left-wing fuel tank and about 7 or 8 gallons in the right-wing fuel tank. The pilot said the engine started normally and he taxied to the runway where he performed an engine run-up. The engine run up was normal and he confirmed the fuel selector was on the left-wing fuel tank. The pilot said he then departed and flew to XLL for the purpose of practicing takeoffs and landings. On the fourth takeoff, about 30 minutes into the flight, when the airplane reached an altitude about 400 to 500-feet-above the runway, the "engine quit." The pilot described the loss of power as an "instantaneous stop with no warning or sputtering." He then made a forced landing straight ahead and the airplane struck a wire-mesh fence that was supported with steel poles. An initial postaccident examination of the airplane was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about 30 minutes after the accident. According to an inspector, the left and right wings sustained substantial damage and the nose gear had collapsed. The inspector did not see any fuel leaking from the airplane and the fuel selector was in the "off" position. The throttle/propeller/fuel-mixture controls were all in the full forward position. Further examination of the airplane conducted the day after the accident by an FAA maintenance inspector revealed there was about 4-5 gallons of fuel in the right tank and about 8-12 gallons of fuel in the left tank. The inspector disconnected the fuel line from the engine driven fuel pump to the fuel servo and there was no fuel in the line. He then disconnected the fuel line that runs from the boost pump to the engine driven fuel pump and when the boost pump was turned on, fuel came out in a pulsating spray indicative of air in the line. The airplane was equipped with two fuel tanks in each wing for a total capacity of 64 gallons, of which 61 gallons were usable. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He reported a total of 3,029 flight hours, of which, 60 hours were in the accident airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:56 EDT
Nearest AirportQueen City (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length3949 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN4826H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPro International
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO360 SER A&C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 32 C
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data