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

January 18, 2003 · Taylorcraft F21 · N2005U

Payson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 18, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Payson, AZ
Aircraft
Taylorcraft F21
Tail Number
N2005U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA071

On landing, the airplane veered off the dirt airstrip and collided with a tree. During the landing rollout the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot made an unsuccessful attempt to correct the airplane with the application of brakes and ailerons. He then maneuvered the airplane to avoid a tree; however, the left wing tip struck the tree. The airplane turned 90 degrees from it's original direction of travel and the right landing gear folded underneath the wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

Full Narrative

On January 18, 2003, at 1215 mountain standard time, a Taylorcraft Aviation Corporation F21, N2005U, ground looped after landing at a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) dirt strip 19 miles southeast of Payson, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the Payson Airport (PAN), at 1000, and was scheduled to terminate at PAN with planned stops at dirt strips in the area. According to the pilot's written statement, he was going to land at some dirt strips southeast of PAN. The third dirt strip was where the accident occurred. The pilot refers to the landing strip as the "J/X landing strip." The landing strip was not smooth. On the landing rollout the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the situation by applying brakes and ailerons. He maneuvered to avoid a Juniper tree; however, the left wing tip struck the tree. The collision swung the airplane about 90 degrees, and the right landing gear folded under the airplane. The right wing slid along a Juniper tree and the tip broke off. The airplane came to rest upright. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 MST
Nearest AirportPvt Dirt Airstrip (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft F21
Tail NumberN2005U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 118
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 27 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data