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 5, 2006 · Waco EQC-6 · N16214

Battle Creek, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Battle Creek, MI
Aircraft
Waco EQC-6
Tail Number
N16214
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06CA106

The single-engine biplane sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff when the airplane veered sharply to the left during the takeoff roll, and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer impacted the runway. The pilot reported that he used braking action to change direction when he taxied to the runway for takeoff. He stated that the tailwheel was locked while taxiing. The pilot reported that he could not see the rudder when he checked the flight controls prior to takeoff, and he did not have anyone verify the direction of the rudder when he moved the rudder pedals. Once on the runway he added power for takeoff, but immediately reduced power due to the lack of directional control. He reported that he aborted the takeoff before the airplane reached 30 knots airspeed. He reported the airplane "swerved suddenly and extremely sharply to the left causing the wingtips to scrape the runway." The inspection of the airplane revealed that the rudder control cables were rigged backwards. The airplane had undergone maintenance to have the original cable operated brakes replaced with hydraulic brakes. After the hydraulic brakes had been installed by the maintenance facility, the rudder cables were improperly rigged to the control surface. The maintenance facility's inspection of the hydraulic brake installation did not have a procedure in its inspection checklist that required an inspection of the rudder cable installation. The maintenance facility's inspection of the brakes did not detect the misrigged rudder cables.

NTSB Probable Cause

The maintenance facility failed to properly install and inspect the rudder cable system resulting in the reversed rudder condition which made directional control not possible during the aborted takeoff. A contributing factor was an inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot.

Full Narrative

The single-engine biplane sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff when the airplane veered sharply to the left during takeoff roll, and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer impacted the runway. The pilot reported that he used braking action to change direction when he taxied to the runway for takeoff. He stated that the tailwheel was locked while taxiing. The pilot reported that he could not see the rudder when he checked the flight controls prior to takeoff, and he did not have anyone verify the direction of the rudder when he moved the rudder pedals. Once on the runway he added power for takeoff, but immediately reduced power due to the lack of directional control. He reported that he aborted the takeoff before the airplane reached 30 knots airspeed. He reported the airplane "swerved suddenly and extremely sharply to the left causing the wingtips to scrape the runway." The inspection of the airplane revealed that the rudder control cables were rigged backwards. The airplane had undergone maintenance to have the original cable operated brakes replaced with hydraulic brakes. After the hydraulic brakes had been installed by the maintenance facility, the rudder cables were improperly rigged to the control surface. The maintenance facility's inspection of the hydraulic brake installation did not have a procedure in its inspection checklist that required an inspection of the rudder cable installation. The maintenance facility's inspection of the brakes did not detect the misrigged rudder cables.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:25 EDT
Nearest AirportW.K.Kellogg Airport (0nm)
Runway31
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftWaco EQC-6
Tail NumberN16214
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · 760-E-2 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data