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

December 4, 2015 · Beech D35 NO Series · N2991B

Vine Grove, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 4, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Vine Grove, KY
Aircraft
Beech D35 NO Series (1953)
Tail Number
N2991B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16LA062

The private pilot reported that, when he departed for the personal flight, there were 15 gallons of fuel in each of the wing fuel tanks. During the initial climb, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Subsequently, the pilot performed an emergency off-airport landing. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and firewall. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The right fuel tank was breached, and an undetermined amount of fuel was noted in the left fuel tank. About 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the auxiliary fuel tank drain valve. Although the pilot stated that he did not remember which fuel tank he had selected before takeoff, given the airplane's fuel state that he reported before takeoff and the fuel observed in the airplane postaccident, it is likely that the pilot mistakenly departed with the fuel selector positioned to the auxiliary fuel tank, which according to the manufacturer, was to be used only during level flight and not for takeoff or landing and that this resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector was properly positioned before takeoff, which resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On December 4, 2015, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Beechcraft D35, N2991B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Vine Grove Airport (70KY), Vine Grove, Kentucky. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.The pilot reported that his intention was to conduct some "pattern work." He conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane; visually checked the fuel in the left and right fuel tanks and estimated that they each contained 15 gallons. The airplane was equipped with a 20-gallon auxiliary fuel tank but the pilot reported that its fuel quantity could not be checked visually. The pilot started the engine, taxied to the run-up area, and performed the before takeoff checklist items, with no anomalies noted. He then taxied to the active runway and configured the airplane for takeoff. During the climbout, about 150 feet above ground level, the engine "quit." He did not have enough altitude to return to the airport, or time to attempt an engine restart or make any radio calls. He subsequently performed an emergency off-airport landing to a road. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing and firewall were buckled. The left main wing fuel tank had an undetermined amount of fuel. Fuel samples were taken from the left main wing tank and the fuselage auxiliary tank. The samples appeared to be clear with no water or debris noted. The right wing fuel tank was breached and the fuel quick drain valve was jammed. The smell of fuel in and around the airplane was noted. The fuel selector was moved from the off position and back to the auxiliary position, and when the fuel supply line was removed from the carburetor, very little fuel exited. The fuel strainer was removed and a very small amount of fuel came out; it was inspected and found to be free of debris. The auxiliary fuel tank drain valve was removed and about 1 gallon of fuel drained out. A review of the D35 pilot's operating handbook (POH) revealed that the airplane was equipped with a 20-gallon fuel tank in each wing in which 34 gallons are usable. All of the fuel in the auxiliary tank was usable. The top spark plugs were removed and they exhibited normal wear and had light gray deposits in the electrode areas. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and spark was noted on each spark plug lead. After the examination of the airplane, the pilot reported, "The D-35 has only one fuel gage and two switches used to select the tank indicated. The fuel selector has four positions, left, right, auxiliary and off. You can have the fuel selector on the auxiliary tank and the fuel indicator on a different tank. It is possible that I mistakenly verified the fuel level in the auxiliary tank with the indicator set to one of the main tanks." The pilot stated that he did not remember which fuel tank he had selected before takeoff. According to the limitations section of the D35 POH: "Use auxiliary fuel in level flight only and do not use for takeoff or landing. Use at least 10 gallons from left main tank before use of auxiliary fuel or right main tank."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CST
Nearest AirportVine Grove (0nm SSW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech D35 NO Series
Tail NumberN2991B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E 225-8 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:08
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data