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 19, 1994 · Marvin E Eubanks VP-1 · N5163R

New Bern, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
New Bern, NC
Aircraft
Marvin E Eubanks VP-1
Tail Number
N5163R
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL94LA123

THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE TAKEOFF OR ACCIDENT. THE PILOT, PRIOR TO HIS DEATH, STATED TO HIS FATHER THAT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED ON TAKEOFF, AND HE WAS ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE SOYBEAN FIELD WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT AND EXTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE CONSUMED IN THE POST CRASH FIRE.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for unknown reasons, and the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during the emergency landing.

Full Narrative

On June 19, 1994, at 1147 eastern daylight time, a Marvin E, Eubanks VP-1, N5163R, was destroyed following a collision with terrain and post crash fire near New Bern, North Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, personal flight. The flight departed New Bern, North Carolina at an undetermined time. The fabric and wood constructed homebuilt aircraft impacted in a soybean field on the family farm where the aircraft was based. Except for the Volkswagen engine core and metal control cables, the aircraft was completely consumed in the post crash fire. Examination of the aircraft engine was not possible as a result of the damage caused to the external components by the post crash fire. There was a ground scar approximately 3 feet in diameter located next to the aircraft engine. The wooden propeller was splintered at the hub, and the propeller blades were consumed in the fire. The pilots father, who was the first to arrive at the accident site, stated that the pilot told him that the aircraft engine quit and he was attempting an emergency landing in the soybean field when the accident occurred. There were no witnesses to the flight of the aircraft or the accident. Residents in the area stated that in the past, the pilot had on occasion used a short section of a dirt road, located on the east side of the accident site, for a runway. The dirt road had tall trees located on the west side and at either end of the area used as a runway. On the east side of the road were power transmission lines and the soybean field was located just beyond the transmission lines. The residents stated that in the past, the pilot had been observed to take off to the south on the dirt road. They stated that the road was not long enough for the aircraft to gain enough altitude to clear the trees at the end, and the pilot had in the past made a left turn under the power lines, and flown the length of the soybean field prior to gaining speed and altitude. An autopsy of Mr. Eubanks was conducted By Dr. John P. Tazelaar of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The cause of death was reported to be complications which resulted from burns that covered 95% of the pilot's body. Toxicological examination was completed by Dr. John P. Tazelaar of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. No ethanol nor other drugs were detected.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMarvin E Eubanks VP-1
Tail NumberN5163R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · Reciprocating · 36

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data