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 27, 2017 · North American Navion A Undesignat · N8695H

Fortuna, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fortuna, CA
Aircraft
North American Navion A Undesignat (1947)
Tail Number
N8695H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR17LA191

The private pilot stated that, after departing for the local, personal flight and as the airplane reached about 1,000 ft above ground level, the engine lost all power. He attempted to return to the airport, but the airplane was unable to maintain altitude, so he chose to make an off-airport landing in a pasture, during which the firewall sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 2017, about 1620 Pacific daylight time, a North American Navion A airplane, N8695H, experienced a total loss of engine power during the initial climb from Rohnerville Airport, Fortuna, California. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall during the forced landing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight which departed from Fortuna about 1615. The pilot stated that he departed with about 10-12 gallons of fuel on board. After the airplane reached about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a total loss of power. He attempted to return back to the airport, but was unable to maintain altitude and he made an off-airport landing in a pasture about .5 miles from the runway at Fortuna. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic completed a post accident examination under the auspice of an FAA inspector. The inspector noted that the original engine for this airplane was replaced by a Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470H which was installed in June 2003. The spark plugs were removed from all cylinders revealing no signs of deterioration, wear or oil/carbon fouling. Continuity was established for each magneto, which produced spark at each cylinder. A borescope inspection of each cylinder revealed no evidence of excessive wear, deterioration, broken rings, or broken valves. The FAA inspector further stated that he observed fuel in the left, right, and main tanks. He sumped samples from each tank disclosing that there was no debris or water visible. Disassembly of the fuel manifold revealed a clean screen; there was no fuel visible. The mechanic removed the fuel inlet supply line to the fuel manifold and activated the electric fuel boost pump. Fuel flowed normally out of the inlet supply line from the tank that was selected, all of which were selected. The reason for the loss of power was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 PDT
Nearest AirportRohnerville (1nm WNW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorth American Navion A Undesignat
Tail NumberN8695H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · IO-470H6B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 91 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data