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

May 8, 1995 · Kolb Firestar II Firestar I · N47WH

Cumming, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cumming, GA
Aircraft
Kolb Firestar II Firestar I
Tail Number
N47WH
Operator
Hinklemann William E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA095

THE PRIVATE PILOT OBSERVED UNUSUAL ENGINE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE, AND ELECTED TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT, MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A HOLE, AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG LEADS WAS LOOSE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, AND THE PILOT/OWNER DID NOT POSSESS A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW OR FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT/OWNER'S FAILURE TO INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOOSE SPARK PLUG LEAD. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN CONDITIONS AT THE LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 1995, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Kolb Firestar II, N47WH, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Cumming, Georgia. The private pilot was not injured. The homebuilt, experimental aircraft was operated under the provisions of 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 originated at a private field in Cumming at 0900. The pilot reported that the aircraft was in cruise flight when he observed unusual engine vibrations and noise. He set up for a precautionary landing in a nearby, open field. During the landing roll, the right, main landing gear struck a hidden hole, and collapsed, resulting in structural airframe damage. An examination of the Rotax 503 engine revealed that one of the spark plug leads was loose. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the pilot/owner had reserved the aircraft registration number N47WH, but had not registered the aircraft. The pilot did not possess a current FAA medical certificate, nor did he have a current biennial flight review. The inspector also reported that the aircraft and engine did not have a current annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKolb Firestar II Firestar I
Tail NumberN47WH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHinklemann William E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 46
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data