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

August 16, 2010 · Ryan Navion B · N5382K

Fort Myers, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Fort Myers, FL
Aircraft
Ryan Navion B
Tail Number
N5382K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA10CA425

According to the pilot, during a previous flight he discovered that the elevator trim adjustment wheel was binding when it set to the full airplane nose-up position. He planned to have the airplane inspected by a mechanic at the conclusion of that flight, but upon arriving at the destination, all of the facilities were closed for the evening. He subsequently departed for the return flight after picking up passengers, and as he began to trim the airplane for the landing flare, the airplane pitched up uncontrollably. As the pilot attempted to recover the airplane, the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the trim wheel was binding on the instrument panel when the trim was set to a nose-up position. When the trim wheel was removed from the trim system, the remainder of the mechanism was free to move in both the up and down directions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The binding of the trim wheel on the instrument panel and the pilot’s improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, during a previous flight on the same day he discovered that the elevator trim adjustment wheel was binding when set to the full airplane nose up position. He planned to have the airplane inspected by a mechanic at the conclusion of that flight, but upon arriving at the destination, all of the facilities were closed for the evening. He subsequently departed for the return flight after picking up passengers, and as he began to trim the airplane for the landing flare, the airplane pitched up uncontrollably. As the pilot attempted to recover the airplane, the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the trim wheel was binding on the instrument panel when the trim was set to a nose up position. When the trim wheel was removed from the trim system, the remainder of the mechanism was free to move in both the up and down directions. The airplane owner also stated that during a flight 3 weeks prior to the accident, the pilot reported difficulty operating the elevator trim.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPage Field Airport (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length4912 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRyan Navion B
Tail NumberN5382K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · GO-435C&D SER · Reciprocating · 260
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data