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

April 11, 2005 · Clark Aerosport Scamp · N234HC

Chino, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Chino, CA
Aircraft
Clark Aerosport Scamp
Tail Number
N234HC
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05LA133

The airplane nosed over during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. Just prior to the accident flight, the pilot adjusted the mixture control at the carburetor because previous test flights indicated that the mixture was running too rich. He contacted the carburetor manufacturer and was advised to adjust the setting no greater than one turn. The pilot adjusted the setting one complete turn. Following an operational ground test at 2,700 rpm (full power is 3,600 rpm), he departed and climbed the airplane to 300 feet. The engine did not develop full power and he attempted to correct the problem by leaning the mixture. The condition worsened so he landed the airplane in a field. The airplane was going through its Phase I flight test and the airframe and engine had accumulated approximately 6 hours. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures with the airplane or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

a loss of engine power due to the pilot/builder's excessive adjustment (lean) of the mixture setting at the carburetor. The pilot/builder's failure to perform a more comprehensive ground test prior to flight was a factor.

Full Narrative

On April 11, 2005, at 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental single-seat Clark Aerosport Scamp (ARSPRT SCMP WT 16-3), N234HC, made an off-airport forced landing after a loss of engine power during the initial climb from Chino Airport, Chino, California. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, also the registered owner and builder of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating from Chino at the time of the accident for the local area test flight. According to airport operations personnel, the pilot had just departed runway 26L. During the initial climb, he reported a partial loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 3, but landed just east of the runway in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over inverted. The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator responded to the accident site. The airplane was a bi-wing airplane equipped with a Volkswagen engine. The engine was crushed aft toward the cockpit and the wings had collapsed on one another. The empennage section was crushed. Emergency response personnel plugged the fuel tank in order to prevent fuel from draining onto the ground. The airplane and engine had accumulated approximately 6 hours total time and were going through their Phase I flight testing. The pilot reported that just prior to the accident flight, he adjusted the mixture setting on the carburetor. Previous flight tests indicated that the mixture was running too rich. He contacted the carburetor manufacturer and was advised to adjust the control no greater than one full turn. The pilot adjusted the setting one complete turn. Prior to takeoff, he performed a test run at 2,700 rpm with no anomalies noted. Normal operation is at 3,600 rpm. When the airplane reached 300 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot realized that the engine was not developing full power, and he leaned the mixture attempting to correct the problem. The condition worsened and he continued, approximately 200 feet above ground level. The airspeed began to decay so he elected to land the airplane in a field. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 PDT
Nearest AirportCHINO (0nm)
Runway26L
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftClark Aerosport Scamp
Tail NumberN234HC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · 2180CC · Reciprocating · 75
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data