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

November 2, 2004 · Cessna 120 · N1811N

Willimantic, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Willimantic, CT
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N1811N
Operator
Adam Van Voorhis
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD05LA009

The commercial pilot was rated in helicopters only, and was receiving instruction in airplanes. He had accrued 8 hours of total airplane time, all of which was in the tail-wheeled accident airplane. During this instructional flight, the pilot demonstrated difficulty with proper brake control, and the instructor elected to practice braking and turning. While they taxied forward at 15 mph, the instructor asked the pilot to turn the airplane around. The pilot initiated an immediate right turn to reverse direction that oriented the tail into the wind. The tail rose up in the turn and the airplane continued around and over onto its nose. The pilot said that he intended to slow the airplane before the turn, but that his braking was "uneven", and resulted in a "hard" right turn and the nose over. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's loss of directional control due to his uneven application of brakes. A factor in the accident was the tailwind.

Full Narrative

On November 2, 2004, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Cessna 120, N1811N, was substantially damaged during a ground loop and nose over at the Windham Airport (IJD), Willimantic, Connecticut. The certificated flight instructor and the certificated commercial pilot, who was rated only in helicopters, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight that originated at Windham Airport, at 1055. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The instructor provided both a written statement and a telephone interview. He explained that his student was a commercial helicopter pilot with only 8 hours of experience in airplanes; all of which was in the accident airplane. The instructor had the pilot practice braking and turning on runway 27. After the pilot taxied for some distance, the instructor asked him to "head back." At the time, the airplane was traveling about 15 miles per hour. The pilot initiated an immediate right turn to reverse direction that oriented the tail into the wind. The tail rose up in the turn and the airplane continued around and over onto its nose. The instructor said he expected the pilot to slow the airplane prior to the turn. Instead, the application of brakes was "aggressive" and "uneven", and the airplane ground-looped to the right and continued directly into the nose over. During a telephone interview, the pilot concurred with the instructor's version of events. He said that he intended to slow the airplane before the turn, but that his braking was "uneven", and resulted in a "hard" right turn and the nose over. Both pilots reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The instructor reported 1,379 hours of flight experience, 75 hours of which were in the Cessna 120. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate, with ratings for rotorcraft helicopter and instrument helicopter. He reported 6,500 hours of experience in helicopters, and 8 hours in airplanes; all of which was in the accident airplane. The weather reported at Windham Airport, at 1052, included an overcast ceiling at 5,500 feet and wind from 180 degrees at 3 knots. The instructor reported that, at the time of the accident, the wind was from the southwest about 8 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest AirportWINDHAM (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4278 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN1811N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAdam Van Voorhis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class · None
Crew 2First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 37 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time15:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data