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 30, 2018 · Piper PA 25 Undesignat · N6307Z

Flat Rock, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Flat Rock, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA 25 Undesignat (1960)
Tail Number
N6307Z
Operator
Blackstone Aircraft
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA18LA182

The pilot was conducting an agricultural application flight. During the takeoff roll and before becoming fully airborne, the right main landing gear (MLG) “snapped,” followed by the right wing dropping and striking the runway. As the right wing and propeller dug into the turf, the airplane spun, departed the runway, and subsequently impacted hay bales before coming to rest. The fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. Examination of the right steel spring MLG revealed that it had broken off cleanly at the wheel and displayed features that were indicative of a fatigue failure. No maintenance records were available for examination, and the service history of the right MLG could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the right landing gear during takeoff due to a fatigue failure, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 2018, about 1045 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N6307Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Leon’s Landing Airport (4AL7), Flat Rock, Alabama. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. According to the pilot, at takeoff, the airplane had 120 gallons of chemicals and 30 gallons of fuel onboard. During the takeoff roll about 40 mph, the tail lifted off the turf runway. When the airplane reached 65 mph, the right main landing gear (MLG) “snapped,” and the right wing to dropped and struck the runway. As the right wing and propeller dug into the turf, the airplane spun, departed the runway, and subsequently impacted hay bales before coming to rest. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage aft of the cockpit was twisted and wrinkled, the right wing leading edge was crushed, and the right steel spring MLG was collapsed. Examination of the right MLG revealed that it had broken off cleanly near where it attached to the wheel. The wheel, along with the lower portion of the MLG leg, had separated from the airplane and rolled into a swamp, and it was not recovered. The remaining fracture surface on the upper portion of the right MLG leg exhibited shear lips and ratchet marks with multiple origins of fatigue. The operator stated that, since recently purchasing the airplane, it had only been operated about 200 hours before the right MLG failed. He thought that the previous owner had sent out the right MLG for overhaul; however, the previous owner stated that he had not done so and that it must have been the previous owner. He added that he only owned the airplane for a short time when he realized that, although airworthy, “it was in rough shape,” so he sold it. None of the airplane’s maintenance logbooks were available for review.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 CDT
Nearest AirportLeon'S Landing Airport (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 25 Undesignat
Tail NumberN6307Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBlackstone Aircraft
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data