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 10, 2021 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4147J

Denton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 10, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Denton, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140 (1966)
Tail Number
N4147J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA260

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was taking off following a touch and go landing and was about 5 seconds into the climb when the engine lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He declared an emergency and chose to conduct a forced landing to an upsloping field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left horizontal stabilizer. The fuel tanks were intact. A Federal Aviation Inspector, who conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane at the scene, reported that the left fuel tank was completely empty, and the 25-gallon capacity right fuel tank was found about ½ full. The fuel selector was in the “Off” position. No other preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane were found that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that they had purchased 20 gallons of fuel prior to the flight. They flew the airplane to another airport where they did a touch-and-go landing, before flying back to their home airport where they did another touch and go landing. It was during the climb following that touch and go landing when the engine lost all power. The flight instructor could not recall which fuel tank was selected at the time of the power loss. Given this information, it is likely that the left fuel tank was selected and was exhausted of fuel during the takeoff, which resulted in the total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor and student pilot’s failure to properly manage the airplane’s available fuel resulting in fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was taking off following a touch and go landing and was about 5 seconds into the climb when the engine lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He declared an emergency and chose to conduct a forced landing to an upsloping field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left horizontal stabilizer. The fuel tanks were intact. A Federal Aviation Inspector, who conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane at the scene, reported that the left fuel tank was completely empty, and the 25-gallon capacity right fuel tank was found about ½ full. The fuel selector was in the “Off” position. No other preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane were found that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that they had purchased 20 gallons of fuel prior to the flight. They flew the airplane to another airport where they did a touch-an-go-landing, before flying back to their home airport where they did another touch and go landing. It was during the climb following that touch and go landing when the engine lost all power. The flight instructor could not recall which fuel tank was selected at the time of the power loss. Given this information, it is likely that the left fuel tank was selected and was exhausted of fuel during the takeoff, which resulted in the total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CDT
Nearest AirportDenton Enterprise Airport (0.5nm S)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4147J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 20 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind150° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.91 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data