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

September 11, 1993 · Brown VAN'S RV-3 · N115DB

Statesville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Statesville, NC
Aircraft
Brown VAN'S RV-3
Tail Number
N115DB
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93LA156

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LOW PASS MANEUVER OVER THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND COLLIDED WITH NEARBY, UTILITY LINES ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING AT SPEEDS MORE THAN 200 MPH AND THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE COLLISION; THE SOUTHERLY FLIGHT PATH PLACED THE SUN INTO THE PILOT EYES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE, NOR WERE AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS NOTICED OR HEARD BY THE GROUND OBSERVERS.

NTSB Probable Cause

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID UTILITY LINES. A FACTOR WAS THE SUNGLARE.

Full Narrative

On September 11, 1993, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Brown Van's RV-3, N115DB, collided with utility lines during a low pass over a private airstrip near Statesville, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received debilitating serious head injuries (see attached statement of pilot's medical condition). The flight's exact departure time from Statesville was not determined. According to the airstrip owner, N115DB circled the airport several times and conducted a low fly-by about 40 feet above the ground. Several witnesses observed the airplane as it flew overhead in a southerly direction. The pilot continued the level attitude until the airplane collided with the second strand of wire from the top; there was no attempt to avoid the collision. The wreckage examination failed to discover any mechanical problems; nor did the witnesses report hearing or observing engine or flight control difficulty with the airplane. The pilot has not recovered sufficiently from head injuries to render his account of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 EDT
Nearest AirportHodges Field (1nm W)
Runway18
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBrown VAN'S RV-3
Tail NumberN115DB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data