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

March 7, 2018 · Piper PA28R 200 · N33807

Paso Robles, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Paso Robles, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA28R 200 (1969)
Tail Number
N33807
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA101

The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction completed a touch-and-go landing in night visual meteorological conditions. During the initial climb, they heard a "loud tick" noise, then the low vacuum annunciator light illuminated. About 350 to 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost all power, and the propeller came to a complete stop. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed a forced landing to a nearby field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and aft fuselage. Examination revealed that the oil filler cap was not secured, and that the engine contained about 1 quart of oil. In addition, oil was splattered on the inside of the engine compartment. It is likely that the pilots failed to secure the oil filler cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the loss of engine oil inflight, eventual oil starvation, and the total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots' inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to ensure that the oil filler cap was secured and resulted in oil starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On March 6, 2018, about 2226 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N33807, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Paso Robles, California. The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The instructor reported that, before the flight, he watched as the airplane was fueled to capacity and he checked the engine oil level, which was 6 quarts. He then asked the pilot receiving instruction to conduct a preflight inspection while he went inside. Upon returning to the airplane, he verbally confirmed the fuel and engine oil levels with the pilot and they subsequently departed. The flight was uneventful, and they performed a touch-and-go landing at the destination airport. During takeoff following the touch-and-go, the pilots heard a "loud tick" noise, followed by the illumination of the low vacuum annunciator light. The instructor took control of the airplane, retracted the landing gear, and instructed the pilot to retract the wing flaps; about 350 to 400 ft above ground level, the airplane stopped climbing, the engine lost all power, and the propeller came to a complete stop. The instructor performed a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the wings and aft fuselage were substantially damaged. The following day, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and noted that the oil filler cap was not secured, and that the engine contained about 1 quart of oil. In addition, oil was splattered inside the engine compartment. (see Figure 1.) Figure 1. Loose oil cap visible through the access panel on the engine cowling

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:26 PST
Nearest AirportPaso Robles Muni (0nm SSW)
Runway13
Runway Length4701 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28R 200
Tail NumberN33807
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 23 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 43 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data