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 24, 2010 · Freeman Super Koala · N220FF

Traverse City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Traverse City, MI
Aircraft
Freeman Super Koala
Tail Number
N220FF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA498

The pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight. He elected to land in the only open space available, which was comprised of rising terrain. During the approach to the field, the left wing dropped and the airplane turned to the left before impact. A postaccident examination of the number one cylinder exhaust port revealed an accumulation of carbon. The number one cylinder’s spark plug could be loosened by hand in indication that it was not properly secured prior to impact; removal of that plug revealed that it exhibited a fouled appearance. The engine's maintenance manual indicated that the spark plugs are to be tightened on a cold engine to 240-inch pounds of torque. The airplane’s airworthiness was maintained by the owner/pilot under a conditional maintenance program.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the improper torquing of the number one cylinder's spark plug as a result of inadequate maintenance.

Full Narrative

On August 24, 2010, about 1110 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Freeman Super Koala airplane, N220FF, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Traverse City, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated from the Cherry Capital Airport, near Traverse City, Michigan, about 1050. The pilot reported that during the climb he reduced power to 6,000 rpm about three to four minutes after takeoff. The pilot switched the fuel tank selector from the main tank to the auxiliary tank. The engine’s rpms subsequently dropped from 6,000 to 2,000 rpm. He switched the fuel tank selector back to the main tank and the engine’s rpms did not increase. He applied the choke and no increase in engine rpms was observed. According to the pilot, he attempted to execute a forced landing to the “only open space available.” The area which the pilot picked to perform the forced landing had rising terrain. He said that the left wing dropped and the airplane turned about 55 degrees to the left before impact. The pilot stated that the airplane Hobbs meter accumulated 0.4 hour since the start of the flight. According to the pilot, the airplane had accumulated 49.5 hours of total airframe time at the time of the accident. The airplane’s airworthiness was maintained by the owner/pilot under a conditional maintenance program and the last conditional inspection was performed on February 18, 2010. The airplane was powered by a two cylinder, two-stroke, 50-horsepower Rotax 503 UL engine with serial number 360-5697. The engine was sold to the airplane's kit manufacturer in March of 1986 and according to the pilot, it had not been overhauled. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. Engine control continuity was established. The engine’s fuel filters were clean. The number one cylinder exhaust port exhibited an accumulation of carbon. The number one cylinder’s spark plug could be loosened by hand and it exhibited a fouled appearance when it was removed. The engine’s maintenance manual included an itemized maintenance plan that listed a "general overhaul of the engine" as planned and necessary maintenance. A supplemental note indicated that the overhaul is to be carried out every 5 years or every 300 hours, whichever comes first. The maintenance manual further indicated that the spark plugs are to be tightened on a cold engine to 240-inch pounds of torque.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 EDT
Nearest AirportCherry Capital Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFreeman Super Koala
Tail NumberN220FF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 UL · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 74 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data