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

September 14, 2007 · Beech A23-24 · N5073T

West Chester, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 2007
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
West Chester, PA
Aircraft
Beech A23-24
Tail Number
N5073T
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC07LA227

The airplane touched down more than halfway beyond the approach end of runway 9; a 3,347-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot applied heavy braking, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left brake disc had separated from its housing. The right brake disc had cracked, but remained attached to its housing. The left and right brake discs exhibited corrosion. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 4 months prior to the accident. The mechanic that performed the annual inspection stated that he did not observe corrosion on the brakes at that time. Airworthiness Directive (AD) 71-06-08 addressed repetitive brake disc inspections and replacements; however, the make and model brake disk on the accident airplane was not included on the AD. The reported weather at an airport near the accident site, about the time of the accident, included winds from 160 degrees at 8 knots, varying between 120 degrees and 200 degrees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total failure of the left brake disc due to corrosion.

Full Narrative

On September 14, 2007, at 1049 eastern daylight time, a Beech A23-24, N5073T, was substantially damaged while landing at Brandywine Airport (OQN), West Chester, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Sussex County Airport (GED), Georgetown, Delaware, about 0930. No flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane landed on runway 9; a 3,347-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on centerline. He then retracted the flaps and checked the brakes. The pilot let the airplane roll out, and applied continuous braking near the last one-third of the runway. While braking, the left pedal "went away," and the airplane turned right. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway, down a berm, and came to rest next to a building. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall area, and all three landing gear had separated from the airframe. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 1,260 hours; of which, 570 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He flew 6 hours during the 90 days preceding the accident. The pilot estimated the winds were from the east-southeast at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that he interviewed a witness, who reported that the accident airplane had to go-around during the first landing attempt, as it was "high and fast." The FAA inspector also viewed a surveillance video that captured the landing accident. The video revealed that the airplane touched down more than halfway down the runway, the pilot applied "heavy" braking, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The FAA inspector added that examination of the wreckage revealed that the left brake disk had separated from its housing. The right brake disc had cracked, but remained attached to its housing. The left and right brake discs exhibited corrosion. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on May 24, 2007. The FAA inspector interviewed the mechanic that performed that inspection, who stated that he did not observe corrosion on the brakes at that time. The FAA inspector further stated that airworthiness directive (AD) 71-06-08 addressed repetitive brake disc inspections and replacements; however, the make and model brake disk on the accident airplane was not included in the AD. Review of the AD revealed a requirement to inspect the brake discs for cracks, or other obvious defects, using a 10-power glass or equivalent. If any defects were found, the brake discs needed to be replaced with a specified new model brake disc. In addition, the inspection needed to be repeated after every 50 hours of operation, or until the specified new brake discs were installed. The inspector subsequently filed a malfunction or defect report (similar to a service difficulty report) to bring awareness to the situation and have the make and model brake disc added to the AD. The reported weather at an airport located about 15 miles south of the accident site, at 1054, was: wind from 160 degrees at 8 knots, varying between 120 degrees and 200 degrees; visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 3,000 feet; broken ceiling at 4,900 feet; broken ceiling at 6,000 feet; temperature 22 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 16 degrees C; altimeter 30.14 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:49 EDT
Nearest AirportBrandywinde Airport (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length3347 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A23-24
Tail NumberN5073T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data