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

October 28, 2020 · Cessna 182 T · N3537C

Lebanon, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 28, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lebanon, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 182 T (2001)
Tail Number
N3537C
Operator
Flying Neutrons
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA034

The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight after maintenance personnel installed new avionics in the airplane. While at cruise altitude, the engine began to knock and vibrate and subsequently the engine lost all power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude or reach an airport and landed the airplane in a field. The airplane overran the field and impacted trees; the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The wreckage was examined, and a plastic cap was found installed on the engine crankcase breather port; the engine crankcase seal was found dislodged. Oil was found on the underside of the engine compartment and cowling. The blocked breather port likely allowed excessive pressure to build up inside the engine and resulted in the dislodged crankcase seal and a loss of oil. The investigation determined the mechanic who installed the avionics on the airplane also performed maintenance on the engine, which was outside of the repair station’s operations specifications. The mechanic did not have technical data for the work performed on the engine, did not document the work performed, and did not remove the plastic cap from the crankcase breather port following the installation of avionics. The accident is consistent with a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of improper maintenance.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Eng oil sys (airframe furnish)-Eng oil dist (airframe furn)-Incorrect service/maintenance

Full Narrative

On October 28, 2020, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182T airplane, N3537C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lebanon, Ohio. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he and the passenger were on a cross-country flight from Clermont County Airport (I69), Ohio, to Warren County Airport (I68), Ohio, after maintenance was performed to install new avionics the day before. While level at 3,000 ft mean sea level (MSL), in instrument meteorological conditions, the oil pressure dropped to zero. The engine initially ran smooth after the drop in oil pressure, but then it began to knock and vibrate. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control, proceeded direct to I68, but was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane descended below the clouds about 600 ft above the ground and the engine lost all power. Unable to make the runway, the pilot landed in a harvested corn field. The pilot could not stop the airplane before it hit trees at the end of the field; the airplane’s wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The engine was examined, and a brightly colored plastic cap was found installed on the crankcase breather port, which completely blocked the port. The engine crankcase seal on the front of the engine was found dislodged and oil was found on the underside of engine compartment and cowling. The purpose of the crankcase breather port is to vent engine pressure. The crankcase seal provides the next location for pressure to vent if the breather port becomes blocked. The Federal Aviation Administration visited the repair station that installed the avionics on the airplane. They determined that the mechanic also performed maintenance on the engine which was outside of the repair station’s operations specifications. The mechanic did not have the technical data for the work performed. Further, the mechanic did not document the maintenance that he performed in the engine maintenance logbook. Maintenance records documented the installation of a Garmin avionics suite at the repair station. The last entry in the engine maintenance logbook was an oil change dated September 23, 2020.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 EDT
Nearest AirportWarren County Airport (2nm S)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182 T
Tail NumberN3537C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlying Neutrons
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO540-AB1A5 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point60 / 0 C
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time11:55

Appendix: Source Data