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

April 4, 1994 · Talago Thundergull JT2 Thundergul · N73ST

Clarksburg, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Clarksburg, WV
Aircraft
Talago Thundergull JT2 Thundergul
Tail Number
N73ST
Operator
Stanley Talago
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO94LA060

The airplane had just taken off and was in its initial climb when control was lost. The airplane collided with terrain in an uncontrolled descent. The pilot stated, 'After a good pre-flight the tower cleared me to depart...immediately on lift off, the aircraft jumped to the right. There was definitely a control problem but I have not pinpointed where.' The FAA inspector's post accident examination revealed the bolt connecting the two rods in the aileron push/pull rod assembly was missing. The bolt holes in both rods showed no deformation. Additionally, this bolt was connected with the jam nut found loose during the conformity inspection. The airplane had a total of 4 hours. A conformity inspection was performed by an FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR) on November 29, 1993. The DAR's conformity inspection report stated 'jam nut loose on aileron control in overhead.' The report revealed that the corrective action taken was that the bolt was 'tightened.' The kit manufacturer specifies the use of a self locking nut, however, the pilot used a jam nut.

NTSB Probable Cause

The builder's inadequate maintenance adjustment which resulted in the aileron control assembly becoming disconnected.

Full Narrative

On Monday, April 4, 1994, about 1040 eastern daylight time, an experimental home-built Talago Thundergull JT2 airplane, N73ST owned and piloted by Stanley Talago, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent at the Benedum Airport (CKB), Clarksburg, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. The local personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91. A (CKB) Air Traffic Control Specialist stated, "N73ST lifted off prior to Taxiway "E". After reaching approximately 50 feet AGL, the aircraft banked to the right. The aircraft continued in the right bank and crashed nose first in the grass...." In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, "After a good pre-flight the tower cleared me to depart...Immediately on lift off, the aircraft jumped to the right...There was definitely a control problem but I have not pinpointed where." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector examined the airplane and found that the bolt connecting the two rods in the aileron assemblage push pull arrangement was missing. These connecting rods are located at the center wing section over the rear passenger area. The bolt holes in both rods showed no deformation. No bolt was found in the wreckage or in the wreckage area. Additionally, the jam nut for this bolt was found loose during a conformity inspection. The airplane had a total of 4 hours. A conformity inspection was performed by an FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR) on November 29, 1993. The DAR's conformity inspection report stated, "Jam nut loose on aileron control in overhead." The report revealed that the corrective action taken was that the bolt was "tightened". The report also revealed that the bolt was too short on the right aileron push-pull rod and that a thinner washer was used as a corrective measure. During a telephone interview with an Earthstar employee, the airplane kit manufacturer, he stated that a self locking "elastic stop" nut is specified/recommended for the two rods in the aileron assemblage push pull arrangement. According to the DAR's conformity inspection report, the builder used a "jam nut."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 EDT
Nearest AirportClarksburg/Benedum (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length5918 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTalago Thundergull JT2 Thundergul
Tail NumberN73ST
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStanley Talago
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912-WL · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 2100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:39
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data