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

July 7, 2001 · Kenneth West ARV 582 · N3395H

Sebring, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sebring, FL
Aircraft
Kenneth West ARV 582
Tail Number
N3395H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL01LA077

A experimental ARV 582 airplane impacted the ground on take off in Sebring, Florida. According to witnesses, after departing runway 18, the experimental airplane banked to the right and collided with the ground, in nose low attitude. No evidence of mechanical malfunction or any flight control problems were discovered during the examination of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, followed by a subsequent inadvertent stall spin.

Full Narrative

On July 07, 2001, at 1217 eastern daylight time, a Kenneth West, ARV582 experimental airplane, N3395H, registered to and owned by the student pilot, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff at Sebring Regional Airport, in Sebring, Florida. The personal flight was conducted by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received fatal injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damaged. The flight departed Sebring Regional Airport, in Sebring, Florida, at 1217. According to witness, he saw the airplane departing runway 18, and remarked that the airplane did not seem to be climbing out very well. He stated that the airplane only reached approximately 50 feet in altitude at the midfield of the runway. The witness then stated that he saw the airplane in a right wing low, nose down steep attitude. The experimental airplane collided with the ramp adjacent to the runway, and skidded approximately 125 feet. Examination of the accident site disclosed that the wreckage of the airplane was located on runway. The cockpit and instrument panel was displaced aft towards the pilot station. The right wing showed signs of wrinkling and buckling. The right wing aileron and flap assembly was still attached to the wing. The fuselage section was compressed forward towards the pilot station. The empennage section was broken at the fuselage section. The rudder was still attached to the vertical stabilizer, and elevator was still attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The tail wheel was still attached to the empennage section. The right main landing gear float was separated from the fuselage. The left landing gear float was still attached to the fuselage. The left wing showed signs of wrinkling and buckling. The left wing aileron and flap assembly was still attached to the wing. Examination of the engine revealed that the Rotax 618 power plant operated normally during the functional check. No evidence of mechanical malfunction or any flight control problems were reported prior to the flight. The pilot held a student pilot certificate. His total flight time was 239 hours in the ARV 582. The pilot held a third class medical certificate, dated January 25, 2000. The medical certificate was valid when wearing corrective lenses. The Sebring 1253 eastern daylight weather observation, reported visibility 10 statute miles, wind 010 at 7 knots, temperature 32 Celsius, dew point 22 Celsius and daylight conditions. Sebring airport has two runways: 36/18 and 34/14. At the time of the accident, runway 18 was in use. Postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Dr. Melamut at the office of the County Medical Examiner in Lakeland, Florida. The reported cause of death was blunt force trauma. The Forensic toxicology was performed by the FAA Toxicology and Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicological examination showed 0.203(ug/ml, ug/g) fluoxetine in the blood, also 0.715 (ug/ml, ug/g) of norfluoxetine in the blood sample. According to the Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary 26th edition, fluoxetine is an antidepressant. The pilot did not report norfluoxetine or fluoxetine as a prescribed medication on his last physical examination application.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:17 EDT
Nearest AirportSebring Regional (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length5190 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKenneth West ARV 582
Tail NumberN3395H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4800 ft
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data