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 16, 2010 · Piper PA-12 · N4229M

Merrill Field Airport, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Merrill Field Airport, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N4229M
Operator
Aras Worthington
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC11CA003

The student pilot reported that during departure the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with a taxiway berm, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that during takeoff, the airplane initially yawed to the left. He took authority over the flight controls and attempted to correct the yaw, but the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The CFI stated that he should have closed the throttle as soon as directional control was lost.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certificated flight instructor's failure to apply the correct remedial actions to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

Full Narrative

The student pilot reported that he lost directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and hit a taxiway berm that resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. The flight instructor reported that the airplane initially yawed to the left. He took over the controls and attempted to correct the yaw, but the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The flight instructor had a total of 563 flight hours, but reported no flight time in the make and model of the accident airplane. The student pilot reported that he had a total of 9.8 hours of flight time with 4.5 hours in make and model. The flight instructor stated that he should have closed the throttle as soon as directional control was lost, and that he should have “executed a positive exchange of flight controls.”

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportMerrill Field (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN4229M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAras Worthington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 SERIES · Reciprocating · 140
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 38 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 21 C
Altimeter29.62 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data