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 8, 2023 · Piper PA-30 · N7318Y

Nephi, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Nephi, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-30 (1964)
Tail Number
N7318Y
Operator
Gibson Stanley A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR23LA220

The pilot was conducting a repositioning flight when, while enroute, the left engine briefly lost power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot, but the engine continued to cycle between 1,000 and 2,400 rpm. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport for a precautionary landing. During the landing flare, about 5 ft above the ground (agl), the left engine lost total power. The pilot applied right rudder to counteract the lowered left wing; however, the airplane touched down hard and exited the left side of the runway. The right wing impacted a dirt mound and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the fuel system, left and right fuel strainer bowls, and filter discs revealed that the filter bowl and filter disc contained contaminants consistent with rust/corrosion. Both the left and right fuel strainer post had pitting corrosion. Rust/corrosion was also found in the cavity walls and cover plates of both strainer knob assemblies, as well as in the left and right fuel selector valves, primarily the left and right auxiliary inlet lines. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that, about four months before the accident flight, the right engine lost power in flight; after that event, the fuel screen was found restricted and corroded. The pilot stated that multiple injectors from both engines were also found obstructed. The right outboard auxiliary tank was replaced, along with the fuel screens. Both left and right fuel lines were flushed by a mechanic. The pilot added about 7 months prior to the accident flight, the right engine fuel injectors were found obstructed during an inspection. The rust/contamination found months before the accident was likely not adequately addressed and not completely removed from within the fuel system, which led to a build-up of contamination within the fuel delivery system that restricted the fuel supply to the left engine and resulted in the loss of power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the inadequate removal of fuel system corrosion during previous maintenance.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2023, about 1219 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7318Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Nephi, Utah. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed from Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC), Cedar City, Utah, to relocate the airplane to Skypark Airport (BTF), Bountiful, Utah, for an annual inspection. While in cruise flight, about 9,500 ft msl, the left engine rpm decreased from 2,400 rpm to 1,000 rpm briefly and increased back to 2,400 rpm. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the left engine; however, it continued to cycle sporadically between 1,000 and 2,400 rpm. The pilot diverted to the Nephi Regional Airport (U14), Nephi, and initiated a straight-in approach to runway 17. During the landing flare, about 5 ft above the runway, the left engine lost all power. The pilot immediately applied right rudder to counteract the lowered left wing; however, the airplane touched down and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted a dirt mound and came to a rest in an open field, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane and both engines did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. The fuel system was traced from each wing tank to the carburetor at the engine through the fuel selector, which rotated normally and was unobstructed. The fuel lines that had not been damaged from impact or removed to transport the airplane were secure. Fuel sampled from the right strainer was tested with water-finding paste and revealed no water contamination. Removal of both the left and right fuel strainer bowls and filter discs revealed that the filter bowl and filter disc had contaminants consistent with rust/corrosion. The left and right fuel strainer knob assembly was removed, and corrosion was found in the cavity walls and cover plate. The left and right fuel selector valves were removed from the airframe and corrosion was found in the threads of the left and right fuel line auxiliary outlet unions. A follow-up examination of the fuel flow dividers and fuel servos did not reveal any mechanical anomalies or failures. The pilot stated about 7 months prior to the accident flight, the right engine fuel injectors were found obstructed during an inspection. Mechanical continuity was established throughout the rotating group, valvetrain, and accessory section as the crankshaft was manually rotated at the propeller by hand. Thumb compression was achieved at all four cylinders and the valves displayed normal lift when the crankshaft was rotated. Examination of the cylinders’ combustion chamber interior components using a lighted borescope revealed normal piston face and valve signatures, and no indications of catastrophic engine failure. According to the engine logbook entries from February 2, 2023, about four months before the accident flight, the right engine had a loss of power in flight. Troubleshooting found a restricted fuel screen and corrosion. The mechanic replaced both fuel screens and gaskets with new. He further replaced the right outboard auxiliary tank fuel line, flushed the fuel lines, and cleaned all fuel nozzles. The left engine’s fuel nozzles were cleaned and the fuel lines were flushed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:19 MDT
Nearest AirportNephi Muni (330nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length6300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN7318Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGibson Stanley A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · Reciprocating | Lycoming · Reciprocating
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 F
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time12:28
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data