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

March 9, 2008 · Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-C1 · N765DC

Spanish Fork, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-C1
Tail Number
N765DC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA08LA090

During the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot heard a "loud bang" originating from the rear of the airplane, and he decided to circle around the airport and land. As the nose of the airplane settled during the landing roll, the nose wheel strut folded aft into the fuselage, resulting in structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel fork assembly and tire had separated from the nose wheel strut during takeoff. Examination of the nose wheel fork assembly attachment stud/bolt revealed fracture features consistent with fatigue and overload. Evidence of oxidation and/or corrosion was also present on the fracture surface.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of the nose wheel fork assembly attachment stud/bolt during takeoff initial climb, and the collapse of the nose gear during landing.

Full Narrative

On March 9, 2008, about 1620 mountain daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-C1, N765DC, was substantially damaged during landing following an in-flight separation of the nose wheel at the Spanish Fork Airport (U77), Spanish Fork, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Airgyro Aviation LLC of Spanish Fork under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed from U77 about five minutes prior to the time of the accident. The pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff from runway 30 he heard a "loud bang" originating from the rear of the airplane and he decided to circle around the airport and land. During the landing roll, as the nose of the airplane settled, the nose wheel strut folded aft into the fuselage resulting in structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel fork assembly and tire had separated from the nose wheel strut during takeoff. The nose wheel fork assembly attachment stud/bolt was sent to the NTSB Office of Research and Engineering, Materials Laboratory Division for further examination. The examination revealed that the fracture surface of the stud/bolt had an area of flat fracture bordered by smoothly curving crack-arrest markings consistent with fatigue cracking. The fatigue cracking appeared to have propagated through an estimated 60 percent of the cross section of the stud/bolt, with the remaining cross section fractured with overstress signatures. Substantial oxidation and/or corrosion of the fracture surface was observed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 MDT
Nearest AirportSpanish Fork Airport (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length5700 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-C1
Tail NumberN765DC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-240 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 25 C
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time21:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data