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 30, 2023 · Piper PA-28-180 · N33094

Kanab, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Kanab, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180 (1975)
Tail Number
N33094
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR23LA329

The pilot departed from a local airport with the airplane 50 lbs under its maximum gross weight of 2,500 pounds. During takeoff, the pilot selected two notches of flaps and began the takeoff roll with full power. The airplane lifted off but would not gain airspeed. The pilot retracted the flaps one notch at a time and the airplane began to descend. The pilot lowered the nose to gain airspeed to clear a set of powerlines; after he pulled up to clear the powerlines, the airplane impacted a road just beyond the airport perimeter, breaching a fence and coming to rest in a hay field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was run on a test stand and ran smoothly during the operational check, with no unusual indications. Audio provided from a nearby surveillance camera confirmed the engine was developing power until shortly before the crash. The reason for a reduction of power prior to impact could not be determined. The airplane was able to become airborne in ground effect; however, once the airplane left ground effect, the high density altitude, greater induced drag, and reduction of flaps likely rendered the airplane incapable of sustaining flight outside of ground effect.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to take off in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 2023, about 0942 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28 Archer, N33094, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kanab, Utah. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during a takeoff attempt at full power, with two notches of flaps selected and about 60 feet above the ground, the airplane’s airspeed dropped and the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered to avoid powerlines and executed an emergency landing in a field off the departure end of the runway. A witness’ residential security camera captured audio near the Kanab Municipal Airport (KNB), Kanab, Utah. The audio recorded the sound of a change in engine RPM consistent with a reduction in engine power immediately followed by the sound of impact. The pilot reported he began giving rides at 7:00am in the morning until 9:42am, the time of the accident. The temperature had climbed about 20° F in that amount of time. The airplane had been performing normally during the previous flights and had not had any issues. The airplane pre takeoff checks had been performed and the mixture leaned for takeoff. The pilot reported that the airplane was within the maximum gross weight of 2,500 lbs and within the center of gravity limitation of the airplane during the accident flight. A review of the estimated weight and balance of the airplane during the accident flight, found that the airplane was near the maximum gross weight. The pilot estimated that given the weather conditions at the time of the accident, the airplane should have been capable of just under 450 ft per minute (fpm) rate of climb. The calculated density altitude at the accident location and time of the accident was about 6,782 ft. Utilizing the performance instructions noted within the airplane flight manual, the assumed altitude and density altitude conditions, and an airplane loaded at maximum gross weight, the calculated climb performance would have been about 380 fpm. A postaccident airframe and engine examination, with a subsequent engine test run, revealed that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Shortly after the accident, the pilot stated to an FAA representative that the engine never stopped running and that there were no preaccident mechanical issues. The pilot later retracted the statement.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:42 MDT
Nearest AirportKanab Muni (1nm N)
Runway01
Runway Length6200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN33094
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1None
Crew 2Age 44 · Third Class · None
Crew 3None
Crew 4None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 F
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time09:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data