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 3, 1993 · Amato Corben JR. ACE Corben JR · N17BA

Traverse City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Traverse City, MI
Aircraft
Amato Corben JR. ACE Corben JR
Tail Number
N17BA
Operator
Brian C Amato
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93DEM01

THE PILOT STATED THAT ALL THREE WHEELS OF THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WERE ON THE GROUND AFTER LANDING. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A LEFT HAND TURN WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY RESPONSE FROM HIS RIGHT RUDDER APPLICATION. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO TURN LEFT ENTERING A GROUND LOOP WITH THE RIGHT WING TIP DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING MAIN SPAR WAS DAMAGED. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LACK OF LUBRICATION IN THE TAILWHEEL BEARINGS. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE WHEEL BEING PULLED FROM ITS SPRING LOADED INDENT CAUSING A LOSS OF RUDDER PEDAL/TAILWHEEL CONTROL.

NTSB Probable Cause

inadequate lubrication of the tailwheel bearings and inadequate preflight by the pilot/owner which resulted in a seized tailwheel.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 3, 1993, at 1029 eastern daylight time, a Corben Jr, Ace, N17BA, registered to and piloted by Mr. Brian Amato was substantially damaged when it swerved to the left during its landing roll on runway 36 (5108' X 150' dry asphalt) at the Traverse City, Cherry Capital City Airport, Traverse City, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight. The pilot, the sole occupant was not injured. The pilot stated that once all three wheels were on the ground, the airplane made a slight veer to the left which he attempted to correct with right rudder. There was no response from the right rudder pedal and the aircraft continued to turn left entering what he describes as a classic ground loop, dropping the right wing to the pavement. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot possess a commercial pilot certificate, with an airplane single-engine land, private pilot rating, issued on October 31,1991. His second class medical certificate without restrictions was issued on August 30, 1991. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a Brian Amato, Corben Junior Ace, an experimental home built, constructed by the registered owner. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION On scene investigation revealed that the right main landing gear had collapsed, to the left, under the fuselage. The wooden propeller was destroyed and damage to the right main wing spar and some wing ribs was incurred. TEST AND RESEARCH Post event inspection of the Scott tailwheel revealed a lack of lubrication and seized wheel bearings. Testing indicated that the dragging tail wheel could cause the wheel to be pulled from its spring loaded indent causing a loss of rudder pedal/ tail wheel control.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:29 EDT
Nearest AirportCherry Capital City Arpt. (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length5107 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmato Corben JR. ACE Corben JR
Tail NumberN17BA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBrian C Amato
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40°
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data