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

December 14, 1994 · Elvin N Kier Varieze · N59MW

Cleveland, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 14, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Cleveland, OH
Aircraft
Elvin N Kier Varieze
Tail Number
N59MW
Operator
White Macey
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO95LA021

DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO A LEFT BANK. PILOT CONTROL INPUT WOULD NOT CORRECT THE BANKING. THE AIRPLANE MADE TWO COMPLETE CIRCLES AND THEN IMPACTED TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MILE PAST THE END OF THE DEPARTED RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBES, CONNECTED BY A BOLT, WERE DISCONNECTED. THE RIGHT ELEVATOR WAS JAMMED IN THE DOWN POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE TORQUE TUBES REVEALED THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBE HAD A FATIGUE CRACK AROUND THE BOLT HOLE AREA ALLOWING IT TO DISCONNECT FROM THE LEFT ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBE.

NTSB Probable Cause

A FATIGUE CRACK IN THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBE RESULTING IN THE DISCONNECTION OF THE ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBES AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL.

Full Narrative

On December 14, 1994, at 1709 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Varieze, N59MW, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 10 at the Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local personnel flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during takeoff climb the airplane banked left and surface control inputs would not correct the banking. He stated the airplane made two complete turns before it impacted terrain. The airplane crashed about 1/4 of a mile north of the airport. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the elevator torque tubes, connected by a bolt, were disconnected. The right elevator was jammed in the down position. Examination of the torque tubes revealed the right elevator torque tube had a fatigue crack around the bolt hole area.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:09 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftElvin N Kier Varieze
Tail NumberN59MW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWhite Macey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data