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

December 27, 2005 · Socata TBM 700 · N198X

Lancaster, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 2005
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Lancaster, CA
Aircraft
Socata TBM 700
Tail Number
N198X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA070

The airplane stalled on short final approach, and it impacted the ground. The purpose of the flight was for the student to receive dual flight instruction to become more acquainted with the airplane's handling characteristics. The student met with his certified flight instructor and received a briefing regarding the upcoming lesson involving, in part, takeoff and landing practice. The instructor directed his student to perform a simulated engine out approach, and engine power was reduced as the airplane glided toward the airport. The student entered a close in downwind approach and, at the direction of the instructor, then performed a left circling turn onto the base and final approach legs. The landing gear was lowered, and the student questioned the instructor regarding whether they could glide all the way to the runway. The instructor advised his student to maintain 90 knots airspeed. During the descent, as the airplane turned from the close in base leg onto the final approach leg, the instructor told his student "don't bank." The student rolled the wings level. Immediately thereafter, the left bank began a second time and the instructor again said, "Don't bank." The student replied, "I'm not." The instructor applied engine power and right rudder to reduce the left bank. The airplane stopped rolling left, and then rolled into a right bank, whereupon the right wing impacted the ground. At no time did the instructor direct his student to release the airplane's flight controls.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a stall/mush.

Full Narrative

On December 27, 2005, about 1446 Pacific standard time, a Socata TBM 700, N198X, collided with the ground while on short final approach to runway 06 at the General Wm. J. Fox Airfield (WJF), Lancaster, California. The right wing separated from the airframe during the subsequent impact with the ground. The airplane was substantially damaged during the impact sequence and during the post impact ground fire. The pilot receiving instruction owned the airplane. Both the airline transport certificated pilot, who was providing dual flight instruction to the airplane owner, and the owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The instructional flight originated from Camarillo, California, about 1330. Both pilots provided the National Transportation Safety Board investigator with verbal and written statements regarding the accident flight. In pertinent part, the airplane owner reported that he had recently purchased the airplane. The purpose of the flight was to receive dual flight instruction in the airplane in order to become more acquainted with its handling characteristics. The owner met with his certified flight instructor (CFI) and received a briefing regarding the upcoming lesson. The flight was to include various maneuvers between 9,500 and 10,500 feet mean sea level. This was to be followed by takeoff and landing practice at WJF. After performing the maneuvers, the CFI directed the owner to perform a simulated engine-out approach to WJF. Accordingly, the engine power was reduced between 8 and 10 percent torque, and the owner glided toward the airport. After arriving over the airport, the owner entered a "close in" downwind for runway 06, and the pilots received a clearance to land. At the direction of the CFI, the owner performed a "left circle base to the runway." The landing gear was lowered, and the owner questioned the CFI regarding whether they could glide all the way to the runway. The CFI indicated to the owner that the airplane was in position to make the landing. The CFI directed the owner to maintain 90 knots airspeed. During the circling approach, as the airplane turned from the close in base leg onto the final approach leg, the CFI told the owner "don't bank." The owner rolled the wings level. Immediately thereafter, the left bank began a second time and the CFI again said, "Don't bank." The owner replied, "I'm not." Neither pilot recalled hearing the stall warning horn activate in the manner in which it had functioned during the earlier higher altitude maneuvers. Neither pilot recalled the airplane buffeting. The CFI applied engine power and right rudder. The airplane stopped rolling left, and then rolled into a right bank, whereupon the right wing impacted the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator examined the accident site and airplane wreckage. He reported observing a ground scar that was consistent with the initial point of impact being upwind of runway 06's landing threshold and beyond the north edge of the runway. The outboard lower portion of the right wing was the first airframe component to impact the ground. According to the FAA inspector, the CFI indicated that during the last few seconds of flight he had applied full right rudder to reduce the left bank. At no time did the CFI direct his student to release the airplane's flight controls. Runway 06 at WJF, elevation 2,348 feet mean sea level, is 7,201 feet long by 150 feet wide. At the time of the mishap, the reported weather was as follows: Wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots; 10 miles visibility; scattered clouds at 15,000 feet; and temperature/dew point at 21/4 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:46 PST
Nearest AirportGeneral Wm. J. Fox Airfield (0nm)
Runway06
Runway Length7201 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSocata TBM 700
Tail NumberN198X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-64 · Turboprop
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 53 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 25 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data