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 29, 2003 · Aeronca 11AC · N86233

Brighton, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Brighton, MI
Aircraft
Aeronca 11AC
Tail Number
N86233
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA235

The tailwheel airplane sustained substantial damage when it exited the right side of the runway and impacted a construction vehicle during a landing. The pilot stated, "Even with full left rudder there was no change in the airplanes path in the turn to the right." The wind was calm. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left hand rudder cable forward attach point had separated from the torque tube, rendering the left hand rudder cable inoperative.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's directional control not possible resulting from the rudder control assembly separation during the landing. A factor was the construction vehicle that the airplane impacted.

Full Narrative

On July 29, 2003, about 1150 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N86233, owned and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it exited runway 22 (3,120 feet by 24 feet, asphalt) at Brighton Airport (45G), near Brighton, Michigan, and impacted a construction vehicle. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and his flight instructor rated passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed 45G at 1100. The pilot stated: Doing pattern work, take offs and landings on runway 22, we were on our fourth landing attempt when the incident occurred. Each previous attempt ended with a go around after a couple of bounces on the runway. On this attempt the power was reduced to idle after the first touch and the second touch the airplane was in a 3 point attitude rolling on the runway and started to turn to the right and then was overcorrected to the left, then was corrected to the right. At this time the airplane continued to turn right between the runway lights and to about 80 degrees off the runway heading to the right and continued until kitting the side of a large earth mover. The earth mover was parked off the runway next to some bushes. We hit the side of the earth mover at about 10 mph. Even with full left rudder there was no change in the airplanes path in the turn to the right. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the airplane. He stated that the "left hand rudder cable forward attach point had separated from the torque tube, rendering the left hand rudder cable inoperative." At 1200, the recorded Livingston County Airport, near Howell, Michigan, weather was: Wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered 4,300 feet; temperature 19 degrees C; dew point 14 degrees C; altimeter 30.04 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 EDT
Nearest AirportBRIGHTON (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length3150 ft
Runway Width24 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 11AC
Tail NumberN86233
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A65-8F · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 74 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 68 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data