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 5, 2020 · Piper PA23 250 · N335W

Albemarle, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Albemarle, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA23 250 (1962)
Tail Number
N335W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA20LA127

The owner of the multiengine airplane was receiving a check out in the airplane from the flight instructor. During the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, the instructor noticed a decrease in airspeed and the pilot receiving instruction stated that both engines were losing power. The instructor immediately confirmed that the mixture levers were full rich and that the propeller and manifold levers were full forward. He also turned on the electric fuel pumps, which had not been turned on before takeoff. With insufficient runway remaining on which to land, the pilots continued over trees at the end of the runway before landing in a field. The instructor further stated that the electric fuel pump switches were on the far left of the instrument panel and he was unable to see their position before the loss of engine power. He added that he believed that the loss of engine power was the result of the electric fuel pumps being off. Examination of the engines, fuel systems, ignition systems, and induction systems did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, and examination of fuel samples from each fuel tank and both engine fuel sumps did not reveal any anomalies. Subsequent testing of the left and right engine mechanical fuel pumps revealed that they operated within specifications. Review of checklists in an owner's manual and airplane flight manual for the airplane make and model revealed instructions in both to use the electric fuel pumps during takeoff. Thus, it is likely that the pilot receiving instruction did not turn on the electric fuel pumps, which were located on his side of the instrument panel, before takeoff, and the instructor did not ensure that they were on.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots' failure to ensure that the electric fuel pumps were on before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of power on both engines during initial climb.

Full Narrative

On March 5, 2020, about 1422 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N335W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stanley County Airport (VUJ), Albermarle, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the owner of the airplane was not onboard during the accident flight but was taking a video recording of the accident takeoff. The owner did not possess a multiengine land rating. The owner's flight instructor was seated in the left seat, receiving a "check out" in the make and model airplane from the pilot-in-command (PIC) flight instructor seated in the right seat. After the "check out," the owner's flight instructor could then provide training to the owner. The accident flight was the first flight after an annual inspection was completed on the airplane. Additionally, the airplane was completely fueled prior to the accident flight. According to the PIC, during initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, the pilot receiving instruction was the pilot flying. The PIC noticed a decrease in airspeed and the pilot receiving instruction stated that the engines were losing power. The PIC immediately made sure the mixture levers were full rich, and the propeller and manifold levers were full forward. He also switched on the electric fuel pumps, which had not been turned on prior to takeoff. The PIC further stated that the electric fuel pump switches were on the far left of the instrument panel and he was unable to see their position prior to the loss of engine power. The PIC added that he believed that was the mistake that caused the dual loss of engine power. The PIC then coached the pilot receiving instruction to push forward on the yoke to retain airspeed; however, the airplane was too fast to land back on the remaining runway. The engines never fully recovered power and they climbed over trees at the end of the runway before making a hard landing in a muddy field. Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed that during impact with the field, the airplane slid for about 190 ft. The left main landing gear separated and the nose gear collapsed, followed by the airplane rotating 180° before coming to rest upright. The inspector observed damage to the left wing spar, left wheel well, nose wheel well, and lower fuselage. Review of a copy of the video corroborated the pilots' statements. Further examination of the engines was performed by an independent mechanic. The top spark plugs were removed from both engines and no anomalies were observed with their electrodes. The crankshaft was rotated by hand on both engines and valve train continuity was confirmed to the rear accessory section. Additionally, thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. Examination of the induction systems did not reveal any blockages or obstructions. Eight-ounce fuel samples were obtained from each of the four fuel cells as well as the left and right engine fuel sumps. All samples were noted to be blue in color and no water or debris were detected in any of the six samples. The magnetos were removed from both engines and rotated at 420 rpm for 10 seconds. All four magnetos produced spark at all leads. The left and right engine mechanical fuel pumps were then removed and forwarded to a facility for testing. Both pumps tested satisfactorily within specifications. Review of checklists in an owner's manual and airplane flight manual for the make and model airplane revealed instructions in both to turn the electric fuel pumps on prior to takeoff.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:22 EST
Nearest AirportStanley County (1nm NE)
Runway04R
Runway Length5499 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA23 250
Tail NumberN335W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 250 | Lycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 26 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 43 C
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data