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 1, 1995 · Bellanca 7ECA · N5068K

Naperville, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Naperville, IL
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ECA
Tail Number
N5068K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA256

THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BY A COLLISION WITH A HANGAR FOLLOWING THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT ENDORSEMENT DURING A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW TWENTY-ONE (21) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD ACQUIRED 15 HOURS TOTAL TIME IN TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT HOWEVER HE HAD NO RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THE TWO PILOT/OCCUPANTS OF THE AIRCRAFT EACH STATED THAT THE OTHER WAS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack or recent experience in tailwheel equipped aircraft and failure to abort the takeoff early enough to prevent the accident.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5068K, was substantially damaged by a collision with a hangar at Naperville, Illinois. The private pilot told investigators that he had experienced loss of directional control during takeoff from runway 36 (2575' x 40', dry bituminous) at the Naper Aero Club Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91, local area flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The pilot, operating the controls from the front cockpit, reported that during takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder but it did not correct the aircraft heading. He aborted the takeoff but was unable to stop the aircraft before impacting the hangar. The pilot held a valid tailwheel endorsement dated November 9, 1993, and had acquired 15 hours total flying time in tailwheel equipped aircraft but had no tailwheel flying time within the last 90 days. The pilot told investigators that he thought he was the second pilot. The second pilot, who occupied the rear cockpit during the flight, held a Private Pilot's license and reported 100 hours flying time in tailwheel equipped aircraft. She reported that during preflight inspection of the aircraft the pilot seemed very knowledgeable about the plane and in response to her inquiry told her he had fifteen hours experience in tailwheel equipped aircraft. She noted "no problems at all in taxiing the plane" or the engine pre-takeoff run-up. During the taxi she and the pilot discussed which runway to use for departure and the pilot announced his intention to use runway 36 even though she told him that runway 18 was the preferred runway when the wind is calm. She acquiesced to his decision. She reported that as soon as takeoff power was applied the pilot lost directional control, veering left, then right, then left off the runway and into the hangar. She too told investigators that she thought she was the second pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportNaper Aero Club Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length2575 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7ECA
Tail NumberN5068K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-K2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data