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 23, 1994 · Advance Aviation Buccaneer II Buccaneer · UNREG

Townsville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Townsville, NC
Aircraft
Advance Aviation Buccaneer II Buccaneer
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Dickerson William L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA164

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE, GRASS AIRSTRIP. HE REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A BEE OR WASP FLEW INTO THE COCKPIT, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CHANGE HIS TAKEOFF PATTERN. HE PULLED THE AIRCRAFT UP, AND LOST AIRSPEED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND IMPACTED A TREE. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WITH THE AIRCRAFT LODGED IN THE TREE. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN REVOKED BECAUSE OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT REGISTERED, AND NO MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE LOCATED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB.

Full Narrative

On August 23, 1994, at 1855 eastern daylight time, an Advance Aviation Buccaneer II collided with trees during takeoff from a private, grass airstrip in Townsville, North Carolina. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt, unregistered aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. A witness, who was at the airstrip waiting to take off behind the accident aircraft, reported that as the aircraft reached about 40 feet above ground level, it veered to the right, and impacted trees. The aircraft came to rest in the trees, with the engine still running. The pilot shut down the engine, and was assisted out of the aircraft. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, a bee or wasp flew into the cockpit, "which caused me to change my take off pattern." He pulled the aircraft up, and lost airspeed. The aircraft veered to the right, into an oak tree. The motor was still running after the accident. A search of Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the pilot's medical certificate had been revoked because of coronary heart disease. The aircraft was owned by the pilot, but was not registered, and no registration number was affixed to the fuselage. There were no maintenance records found which documented any aircraft or engine inspections. The pilot did not comply with 14 CFR Part 830, requiring the completion of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:55 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm S
Runway9
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAdvance Aviation Buccaneer II Buccaneer
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDickerson William L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data