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 2, 1993 · Howard W Dutton GLAS AIR II RG GLAS AIR I · N92T

Mt. Pleasant, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mt. Pleasant, IA
Aircraft
Howard W Dutton GLAS AIR II RG GLAS AIR I
Tail Number
N92T
Operator
Dutton Howard W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI93DCD03

Witnesses observed the homebuilt airplane maneuvering. They observed the nose to pitch up and the airplane to enter a steep nosedown attitude with counter-clockwise rotation. Coincident with the pitch-up maneuver there was a popping sound from the airplane and engine sounds ceased. Just prior to impact high level engine sounds returned.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command's not maintaining aircraft control.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 1, 1993, at 1955 local time, a home-built Howard W. Dutton Glasair II RG operated by Howard W. Dutton of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, was on a flight that crashed on a farm field approximately 2.5 miles east of Mount Pleasant. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating and a current third class medical. Witnesses to the accident stated that prior to impact the airplane was observed to pitch nose up, enter a near nosedown attitude and rotated counter-clockwise. One witness stated that coincident with the pitch-up maneuver, there was a popping sound from the airplane and engine sounds ceased; however, this witness stated that just prior to impact high level engines sounds resumed. CREW INFORMATION The pilot was a certificated private pilot holding an instrument rating and a third class medical. He had logged approximately 700 hours total time with approximately 100 hours in this make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION N92T, Dutton Glasair II RG, an amateur built aircraft manufactured and owned by Howard W. Dutton of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, was registered on 4/15/91, and received an Experimental Amateur-built Certificate of Airworthiness on 04/07/92. The airframe had a total time of approximately 100 hours. The aircraft empty weight was recorded as 1327 pounds. The aircraft had a current condition inspection. IMPACT AND WRECKAGE The aircraft initial impact with the ground was with the right wing. Crop damage indicates aircraft was basically on a heading of approximately 100 degrees. Approximately 24 feet further along the path, the main fuselage contacted the ground. The aircraft began breaking up at this point continuing in a path approximately on a 120 degree heading coming to rest approximately 87 feet from initial impact of fuselage. Approximate width of path from that point to final resting point was 21 feet. Propeller, propeller hub, engine starter drive gear, and crankshaft were sheared off at impact of fuselage. They were found approximately 40 feet from initial impact and about 10 feet to the right of the wreckage path. Right wing and right horizontal stabilizer with elevator were damaged from impact. Rudder, left horizontal stabilizer and elevator along with left wing were intact except for minor damage of skidding along the ground. The left wing was separated from fuselage at attachment to fuselage. All flight controls, wing structures, landing gear and major portions of fuselage structure were with the main wreckage. The canopy was examined and appeared to still be secured at impact. It was then separated by tearing of the fiberglass structure and was with the rest of the wreckage. Engine was canted to the right and the fuselage bottom structure showed more crushing from impact on the right side then the left. The aircraft made contact with the ground in a right wing low, nosedown attitude, but not inverted. The landing gear was retracted at impact. The engine had fuel to the distributer valve and the fuel filter was full of fuel. All accessory drives were functional and still had mechanical integrity with the drive train. Magnetos were sparked and functioned. Magneto timing could not be verified. Engine oil filter showed no metal or visible contaminants. All fuel tanks were ruptured and fuel quantity could not be verified. The personal restraint system consisted of a lap and shoulder belt. The belts were still fastened but were torn loose from their attachment points. The aircraft instruments were destroyed in the crash. MEDICAL/PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A toxicology mailing kit was given to De Francis Garrity, Des Moines, Iowa. There was no evidence of significant natural disease. ADDITIONAL DATA The wreckage was released to Mrs. Shirley Dutton after the on scene investigation on August 2, 1993.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHoward W Dutton GLAS AIR II RG GLAS AIR I
Tail NumberN92T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDutton Howard W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data