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 14, 2001 · Cuevas Orlando S MXL II Sport · N4305C

Arroyo, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Arroyo, PR
Aircraft
Cuevas Orlando S MXL II Sport
Tail Number
N4305C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA01LA190

A witness observed the airplane takeoff from a strip of sandy beach in an easterly direction en route to a nearby airport. The witnesses stated that the pilot applied "full throttle," the airplane rolled for a short distances, lifted off "normally...climbed normally," and continued to gain altitude in a straight line when it "unexpectedly" started turning left toward the line of palm trees. The airplane disappeared from his view, he then heard the noise of the propeller "thrashing" against the palm leaves, the engine stopped, he saw the aircraft "plummet" straight down from the tree top, and all the time to the moment of impact, "the engine sounded as if it was delivering full power."

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilots failure to maintain directional control during climb, which resulted in the airplane drifting off course and impacting with trees.

Full Narrative

On July 14, 2001, about 1840 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Cuevas, Orlando S., Quick Silver MXL II Sport homebuilt airplane, N4305C, registered to an individual, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees on initial climb from a beach near Arroyo, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The recreational-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a witness, he observed the airplane depart from a "strip of sandy beach" next to a resort apartment. He said the airplane was preparing for takeoff in an easterly direction en route to a nearby airport. The pilot applied "full throttle," the airplane rolled for a short distances "lifted off...climbed normally," and continued to gain altitude in a straight line when "...unexpectedly [it] started turning left toward the line of palm trees bordering the apartment complex." For a moment the witness felt the airplane would clear the trees when it disappeared from his view. He "immediately..…heard the noise of the propeller thrashing against the palm leaves, the engine stopped and [he] saw the aircraft plummet straight down from the [tree] top." In addition, he said "…..all the time to the moment of impact, the engine sounded as if it was delivering full power." According to the FAA inspector this same witness told him that this accident happened late in the afternoon, and you can find heavy gusty conditions during the month of July.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 AST
Nearest AirportPATILLAS (5nm SSW)
Runway070
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCuevas Orlando S MXL II Sport
Tail NumberN4305C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 52 · Reciprocating · 52
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data