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

August 21, 2017 · Mooney M20C NO Series · N6833N

Palm Coast, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Palm Coast, FL
Aircraft
Mooney M20C NO Series (1968)
Tail Number
N6833N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA17LA284

During takeoff and the initial climb for the personal flight, the commercial pilot noticed that the engine was losing power. When the airplane reached about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. During touchdown for the subsequent forced landing to a road, the pilot noticed flames coming into the cockpit near the passenger's feet; both occupants egressed as quickly as possible after landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the cabin was consumed by fire; the fire appeared to have originated in the vicinity of the engine side of the firewall, forward of the copilot-side rudder pedals. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 cylinder head was cracked from the exhaust valve to one of the spark plug holes. The fuel pressure gauge line was burnt about 3 inches from the carburetor. A witness had reported that the airplane's engine was running roughly and "shaking" before the accident. Thus, it is likely that increased engine vibration from the cracked No. 4 cylinder resulted in a loosened fuel line fitting and fuel leak, which subsequently led to the loss of engine power and in-flight fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

A crack in the No. 4 cylinder head, which resulted in engine roughness, a fuel leak, a loss of engine power, and the subsequent in-flight fire.

Full Narrative

On August 20, 2017, about 2055 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6833N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned personal flight to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, he and a passenger were flying back to FXE from a flight earlier in the day to St Marys Airport (4J6), St Marys, Georgia. They stopped at FIN for fuel. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot noticed that the engine did not seem to be producing full power. During the initial climb, he felt the engine continue to lose power and about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. He told the local air traffic controller that the engine lost all power and he was going to land on a road. During touch-down, he noticed flames coming into the cockpit around the passenger's feet. He stopped the airplane and both occupants egressed as quickly as possible. The pilot further stated he did not turn off the master switch or boost pump, nor could he get back in the airplane to turn it off as the flames were too intense at that time. According to a witness, he was working in his hangar, approximately 75 yards away from the self-service fuel farm, when he heard an airplane start up. He stated the engine was running very rough and walked outside to see what the problems was. He saw the accident airplane sitting at the fuel farm and noticed the engine exhaust was "shaking." Then he stated the airplane taxied away towards the runway. After a few minutes, the airport authority came down and locked up the fuel farm and stated that the Mooney just crashed on a road. Examination of the of the airplane following the accident revealed that the cabin was consumed by fire. The engine compartment was black from soot, but intact. The wings, tail section, and landing gear were intact. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders except the No. 4 cylinder. Borescope examination of the cylinder and revealed that the head was cracked from the exhaust valve to one of the spark plug holes. The fuel pressure gauge line was burnt approximately 3 inches from the carburetor. The bottom of the firewall, in front of the co-pilot's seat, and just below the rudder pedals, was burnt through and the metal was drooping from heat exposure. The four seat, low-wing airplane, was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360 series, 180-horsepower engine, driving a Hartzell two-blade, constant-speed propeller. According to FAA and aircraft maintenance records, the airplane was originally issued an airworthiness certificate on May 30, 1968, and registered to the owner on November 15, 2012. According to maintenance records, the most recent annual inspection was conducted on November 1, 2016, with a recorded time in service of 7,644.5 hours. The engine was last overhauled on December 4, 2001 and had accumulated 680.4 hours of service at the time of inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C NO Series
Tail NumberN6833N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 SER · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data