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 9, 2005 · Taylorcraft BC12D-85 · N5616M

Wasilla, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2005
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Wasilla, AK
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC12D-85
Tail Number
N5616M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05LA118

The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight when the engine lost all power and he was forced to make an emergency landing. In his written statement to the NTSB, he indicated he performed a cruise descent from 2,100 feet to 700 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the carburetor heat on. After a short time at 700 feet, he applied full power to gain altitude, and about 900 feet msl, the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine without success. During an emergency landing to a dirt road, the airplane collided with unmarked electrical wires, which redirected the airplane into the trees along the dirt road, resulting in structural damage to the wings and fuselage. An examination of the airplane at the accident site by the NTSB revealed fuel in the carburetor and in the airplane's fuel tank. During an operational test run of the airplane's engine, the engine was started and ran at various power settings. The carburetor was removed and evaluated on a flow test stand. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine or carburetor.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power for an unknown reason while maneuvering, which precipitated an emergency descent and landing, and resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines and trees. A factor associated with the accident was the power lines.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2005, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12D-85 airplane, N5616M, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing following a total loss of engine power, about 5 miles northwest of Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) local personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot and sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Willow Airport, Willow, Alaska, about 2000. During a conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 8, an Alaska State Trooper, who interviewed the pilot at the scene, said the pilot said he was cruising about 900 feet agl when the engine started to lose power. The Trooper indicated the pilot reported that as he applied full power the engine quit, and when he was unable to restart the engine, he attempted an emergency landing on a road. During the landing the airplane collided with unmarked power lines and impacted trees, receiving structural damage to both wings and the fuselage. In a written statement to the NTSB, dated September 8, the pilot indicated he performed a cruise descent from 2,100 feet to 700 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the carburetor heat on. He wrote that after a short time at 700 feet, he applied full power to gain altitude for the flight home. He said about 900 feet msl, the airplane's engine quit. He wrote that he attempted to restart the engine without success. During an emergency landing to a dirt road, the airplane struck unmarked electrical wires, which redirected the airplane into the trees along the dirt road. During an examination of the airplane at the accident site by the NTSB IIC on August 8, fuel was found in the carburetor and in the airplane's fuel tank. On August 18, under the direction of the NTSB IIC, an FAA aviation safety inspector performed an operational test run of the airplane's engine. The engine was started and run at various power settings. The carburetor was removed and evaluated on a flow test stand. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine or carburetor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BC12D-85
Tail NumberN5616M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data