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

October 23, 2007 · Taylorcraft DCO-65 · N52730

Fort Myers, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Fort Myers, FL
Aircraft
Taylorcraft DCO-65
Tail Number
N52730
Operator
Douglas Charles Jenkins
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA08LA006

The pilot stated that while on approach to his home airport, he began his descent for landing. About 800 feet above ground level, he reduced engine power and noticed an extreme vibration from the engine area. He declared an emergency with air traffic control and made a forced landing into a shopping mall parking lot, hitting several cars, damaging both wing spars, the landing gear, and engine. Examination of the airplane revealed a fractured front engine mount bolt. The bolt exhibited features consistent with an overstress failure; however, the investigation could not determine if the bolt failed before or after the engine vibration. No other failures or mechanical anomalies were identified with the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power during approach for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On October 23, 2007, at 1048 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65, N52730, collided with several automobiles during a forced landing in a shopping mall parking lot in Fort Myers, Florida. The certificated private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, reported no injuries, the passenger reported minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from the Page Field Airport (FMY), Fort Myers, Florida, at 0930 the same day. The pilot stated that while on approach to runway 13 at FMY, he began his descent for landing. About 800 feet above ground level, he reduced engine power and noticed an extreme vibration from the engine area. He declared an emergency with air traffic control and made a forced landing into a shopping mall parking lot, hitting several cars, damaging both wing spars, the landing gear, and engine. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found a fractured front engine mount bolt. The inspector observed that the bolt necked down near the fracture area, consistent with overstress. The inspector further stated that the bolt was located inside the engine mount, and would not be visible for examination during a routine annual inspection. The inspector did not report any additional failures or malfunctions. The airplane was manufactured in 1943. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed about 4 months prior to the accident, and the airplane accumulated approximately 17 hours of operation since that inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:48 EDT
Nearest AirportPage Field (1nm)
Runway13
Runway Length4912 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft DCO-65
Tail NumberN52730
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDouglas Charles Jenkins
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data