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

June 29, 2016 · Piper PA 28-161 · N8237Z

Honesdale, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 29, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Honesdale, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA 28-161 (1982)
Tail Number
N8237Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16CA237

At an airport with a field elevation of 1,357 ft above mean sea level, where the temperature was 23°C, the pilot loaded the airplane with passengers, luggage, and fuel, to near its maximum gross weight. He then initiated a takeoff on a 2,986-ft-long runway, which had an approximate 500-ft displaced threshold on each end, a 0.6-percent uphill gradient, and trees off the departure end. While attempting to take off, the airplane failed to become airborne, and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway and was substantially damaged when it struck vegetation and terrain. The pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Review of airport security camera footage revealed that the pilot had initiated a rolling, 0-flap takeoff from an intersection with about 200 ft of usable pavement behind him. Review of the weather conditions present at the time of the accident indicated that the density altitude was 2,805 ft. Review of weather information and a Koch chart also indicated that with the density altitude that existed at the time of the accident, a 30 percent increase in takeoff distance should have been anticipated by the pilot along with a 23 percent decrease in climb rate. Review of the information manual for the airplane revealed that it contained performance information. When asked if he had checked the density altitude before takeoff, the pilot replied that he had not.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his attempt to take off near the airplane’s maximum gross weight in high-density altitude conditions that degraded the airplane’s takeoff and climb performance and resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway excursion.

Full Narrative

At an airport with a field elevation of 1,357 feet above mean sea level, where the temperature was 23 degrees Celsius, the pilot loaded the airplane with passengers, luggage, and fuel, to near its maximum gross weight He then initiated a takeoff on a 2,986-foot-long runway, which had an approximate 500-foot displaced threshold on each end, a 0.6 percent uphill gradient, and obstructions in the form of trees off the departure end. During the takeoff, the airplane failed to become airborne and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway, and was substantially damaged when it struck vegetation and terrain. The pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Review of airport security camera footage revealed that the pilot had initiated a rolling, zero flap takeoff from an intersection with approximately 200 feet of usable pavement behind him. Review of the weather conditions present at the time of the accident indicated that the density altitude was 2,805 feet. Review of weather information and a Koch chart also indicated that with the density altitude that existed at the time of the accident, a 30 percent increase in takeoff distance should have been anticipated by the pilot along with a 23 percent decrease in rate of climb. Review of the information manual for the airplane revealed that it did contain published performance information. When asked if he had checked the density altitude prior to takeoff the pilot advised that he had not.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:29 EDT
Nearest AirportCherry Ridge (0nm WSW)
Runway36
Runway Length2986 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 28-161
Tail NumberN8237Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time21:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data