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

March 7, 2000 · Titan Aircraft Tornado

Springfield, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Springfield, TN
Aircraft
Titan Aircraft Tornado
Operator
Douglas J Brooks
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL00LA037

The owner departed a private airstrip for his first flight in the Titan Tornado. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the owner said that the airplane did not fly well. He further stated that the engine RPM fluctuated followed by a complete loss of engine power. The owner also noted that the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) was in the over-temp range prior to the total loss of engine power. The owner selected a nearby field for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with trees on a wooded hill as the owner maneuvered for the forced landing. The airplane was consumed by a post-crash fire. The engine assembly also sustained extensive fire damage and prevented a functional examination of the assembly and the installed sub-components. Efforts to rotate the engine assembly also failed. The airplane was never certificated or registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. A review of FAA pilot certification records failed to reveal airmen certifications or pilot rating information for the owner of the unregistered experimental airplane involved in the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the unqualified person attempted to fly the airplane.

Full Narrative

On March 7, 2000, at 1500 central standard time, an unregistered Titan Tornado, experimental airplane, was destroyed by fire following a loss of engine power during cruise flight and subsequent forced landing in a private field near Springfield, Tennessee. The unqualified operator received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Springfield, Tennessee, at 1445. Reportedly, the operator had recently purchased the Titan Tornado from an airplane builder in Maumee, Ohio. The airplane was transported to Springfield, Tennessee, where the operator readied the experimental airplane for flight. The operator departed a private airstrip for his first flight in the Titan Tornado. The operator reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the "airplane did not fly well". He further stated that, the engine RPM fluctuated followed by a complete loss of engine power. The operator also noted that the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) was in the over-temp range prior to the total loss of engine power. The operator selected a nearby field for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with trees on a wooded hill as the operator maneuvered for the forced landing. After the collision, the operator was assisted from the accident site by a local resident. The resident did not observed the accident, but heard what he thought was a collision. The airplane was consumed by a post-crash fire. The examination of the airplane disclosed that the entire airframe had been consumed by the post-crash fire. The engine assembly also sustained extensive fire damage and prevented a functional examination of the assembly and the installed sub-components. Efforts to rotate the engine assembly were unsuccessful. According to the operator, there were no engine or airframe maintenance log books for this airplane. The airplane was equipped with a Hirth, model 2704, 60 horse power, two-cycle engine. The airplane was also equipped with a 10-gallon fuel tank. The original builder also stated that the airplane empty weight was 420 pounds; the gross weight of the airplane was not determined. However, according to the original builder of the airplane, the engine had a total of 12 flight hours. The flight time on the airframe was not determined. According to the original builder and the operator, the airplane was never certificated or registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A review of FAA pilot certification records failed to reveal airmen certifications or pilot rating information for the operator of the unregistered experimental airplane involved in the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTitan Aircraft Tornado
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDouglas J Brooks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHirsh · 2704 · Reciprocating · 60

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data