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

August 11, 2001 · Dominiak Kitfox · N912WD

Byron, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 2001
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Byron, NY
Aircraft
Dominiak Kitfox
Tail Number
N912WD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC01LA209

The airplane was circling around a residential area 15 to 20 feet above trees and power lines. While maneuvering, the airplane reached bank angles of approximately 90 degrees, before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. The pilot had approximately 450 hours of total flight experience, with 30 hours of that being in the accident airplane make and model. In addition, the pilot had flown 22 hours in the accident airplane within 30 days of the accident. Toxicological testing on samples taken from the pilot showed 126 (mg/dL, mg/hg) of Ethanol, 1 (mg/dL, mg/hg) of Acetaldehyde, and 0.452 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Benzoylecgonine in the pilot's blood. In addition, 0.347 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Cocaine, 6.045 (ug/ml, ug/g) Benzoylecgonine, and 0.233 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Cocaethylene was detected in the pilot's urine. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the physiological impairment of the pilot due to the consumption of alcohol.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 2001, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Kitfox, N912WD, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while maneuvering over a residential area in Byron, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed from a private airstrip. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to several witnesses, the airplane was circling around a residential area 15 to 20 feet above trees and power lines. While maneuvering, the airplane reached bank angles of approximately 90 degrees, before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. According to the owner of the airplane, the pilot had approximately 450 hours of total flight experience, with 30 hours of that being in the accident airplane make and model. In addition, the pilot had flown 22 hours in the accident airplane within 30 days of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma performed a toxicological test, on bile, blood, brain, gastric, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, spinal fluid, spleen, urine, and vitreous samples taken from the pilot. According to the test results, 126 (mg/dL, mg/hg) of Ethanol, 1 (mg/dL, mg/hg) of Acetaldehyde, and 0.452 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Benzoylecgonine was detected in the pilot's blood. In addition, 0.347 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Cocaine, 6.045 (ug/ml, ug/g) Benzoylecgonine, and 0.233 (ug/ml, ug/g) of Cocaethylene was detected in the pilot's urine. The Medical Examiner's Office for Monroe County conducted a toxicological test on the pilot and passenger. According to the results, the pilot had a blood alcohol content of 0.12 percent (w/v), and the passenger had a blood alcohol content of 0.11 percent (w/v). According to a FAA inspector, examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDominiak Kitfox
Tail NumberN912WD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data