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 26, 2018 · Beech 35 B33 · N666WW

Bowman, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 2018
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Bowman, ND
Aircraft
Beech 35 B33 (1962)
Tail Number
N666WW
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA354

The commercial pilot and the passenger departed on a cross-country personal flight; the pilot indicated that, shortly after takeoff, the engine started "sputtering" and then lost power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power to no avail and performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars. A postaccident examination of the airframe, fuel system, and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Although both main fuel tanks were full, further examination revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel lines, fuel, pump, or engine forward of the airplane firewall and fuel selector. Thus, it is likely that the fuel selector valve was not secured in the detent properly, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot

Full Narrative

On August 26, 2018, about 1150 mountain daylight time, a Beech 35 airplane, N666WW, lost engine power shortly after takeoff from the Bowman Regional Airport (KBWW), Bowman, North Dakota. The commercial pilot sustained serious injury and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight.According to the pilot, the cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (KDIK), Dickinson, North Dakota. Shortly after takeoff, about 400 ft agl, the engine started "sputtering" and lost power. The pilot turned on the fuel pump and attempted to restore engine power without success. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, both main landing gear were pushed up through the wings and both wing spars were substantially damaged. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, both main fuel tanks were full of fuel. Further examination revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel lines, fuel, pump, or engine, forward of the airplane firewall and fuel selector. The fuel selector valve was found in the "OFF" position. An examination of the airplane, fuel system, and engine, conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA, revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 MDT
Nearest AirportBOWMAN (1nm SE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 35 B33
Tail NumberN666WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-K · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 59
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data