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

January 23, 1994 · Culver LCA · N72M

Lake City, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lake City, SC
Aircraft
Culver LCA
Tail Number
N72M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94FA043

A WITNESS, FLYING IN ANOTHER AIRPLANE, OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE AS IT APPROACHED TWO OTHER AIRPLANES IN FORMATION, FROM THE REAR. THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT EXECUTED A LEFT TURN AND ENTERED A STALL/SPIN; THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 23, 1994, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Culver LCA, N72M, collided with the ground while maneuvering to join a formation flight of three other aircraft near Lake City, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the private certificated pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed Lake City at 1115 hours. According to a witness flying another airplane, he and the Culver approached two Aeronca Champs from the rear. As he joined the formation, the Culver failed to join up but passed the formation. The Culver was next seen in a steep left turn which progressed into a stall/spin. The witness believed that, the Culver was attempting to join the formation prior to entering a descending stall/spin. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled "First Pilot Information". AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the aircraft is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Aircraft Information". METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Weather Information". WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Aircraft wreckage debris was scattered over an area forty feet square.The wreckage was orientated on a northerly magnetic heading. The aircraft was found in an upright position with the cockpit's roof displaced downward. Examination of the ground around the airplane revealed an imprint from the right wing leading edge. The engine was buried about two feet into the ground just forward the cockpit area. Examination of the flight control system failed to disclose a mechanical problem with the system. An engine examination also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure (see attached engine examination). MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The post mortem examination on the pilot was performed by Dr. Sandra Condra on January 24, 1994 at the Medical University in Charleston, South Carolina. The toxicological examinations detected the following: Pseudoephedrine in the blood Pseudoephedrine in the urine Ephedrine in the blood 0.041 (ug/ml. ug,g) Doxylamine in the blood 23.00 (ug/ml, ug/g) Acetaminophen in the urine. According to the manager of the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, the above detected levels were at or below therapeutic levels. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was released to: Mr. Harry Brooks (Insurance Adjustor) Atlanta, Georgia.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCulver LCA
Tail NumberN72M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A75-8 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data