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

February 29, 2000 · Burak Stanley A XF4 · N9VY

Brooksville, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 29, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Brooksville, FL
Aircraft
Burak Stanley A XF4
Tail Number
N9VY
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL00LA030

Approximately 35 minutes into the flight, the pilot experienced a loss of propeller thrust. The pilot stated that he heard a loud 'bang' from the engine compartment and experienced loss of thrust. The pilot said that the engine tachometer went to redline, and the propeller rpm decreased. The pilot said, changing the engine rpm did not change the propeller rpm. The pilot declared an emergency and started an emergency descent for a landing on runway 27. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane on the final approach, he cleared a stand of trees on the final approach to runway 27. While on short final to land, the airplane initially collided with the ground short of the runway surface and subsequently came to rest on a taxiway. The examination of the wreckage revealed that the Rex Flex Coupling Assembly had failed and that three out of the six Rex Bolts had also failed. The pilot stated that the Flexidyne Drive Shaft was designed for a 100 horse-power engine. The pilot/builder stated that he installed a 150 horse power engine on the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The owner/builder's failure to build the airplane within the design stress limits of the drive shaft assembly, that resulted in the failure of the Flex Coupling Retention Bolts.

Full Narrative

On February 29, 2000, at 1545 eastern standard time, a Burak XF4, experimental airplane, N9VY, collided with the ground following a loss of propeller thrust at the Brooksville Hernando County Airport in Brooksville, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Brooksville Airport, in Brooksville, Florida, at 1500. According to the pilot, 35 minutes in to the flight, while circling Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Florida, at 3000 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of propeller thrust. The pilot stated that he heard a loud "bang" from the engine compartment and experienced loss of thrust. The pilot said that the engine tachometer went to redline, and the propeller rpm decreased. According to the pilot, changing the engine rpm did not change the propeller rpm. The pilot declared an emergency and started an emergency descent for a landing on runway 27. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane on the final approach, he cleared a stand of trees on the final approach to runway 27. While on short final to land, the airplane initially collided with the ground short of the runway surface and subsequently came to rest on a taxiway. According to the pilot, the examination of the wreckage revealed that the Rex Flex Coupling Assembly failed. The Rex Flex Coupling assembly connects the engine to the propeller drive shaft and pusher propeller. The pilot reported that three out of the six Rex Bolts (#16087) failed and one bolt was found with the head sheared off. According to the pilot, he cannot recall the torque applied to the flange assembly during installation nor did he recall the maximum required torque for this installation. The pilot stated that the Flexidyne Drive Shaft was designed for a 100 horse-power engine. The pilot/builder stated that he installed a 150 horse power engine on the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EST
Nearest AirportHernando County (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length7001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurak Stanley A XF4
Tail NumberN9VY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data